In Honor of Andy Cunningham

I remember when I was in fourth grade I was selected as student of the week. We received a questionnaire, and one of the questions was “Who is your hero?” Without hesitation, I wrote my dad because he was a veteran. Now, I realize that my dad was my hero for everything else in my life. He answered every call, gave the best advice, and supported me in every choice I made. I have looked up to my dad in each moment of my life.  He was relentlessly supportive, kind, and loving. He dedicated his life to the service of his country, and to his children.

When my dad started experiencing symptoms of ALS, he was dismissed, told he was getting old, and that physical therapy would fix the problem. I watched him go from being able to do everyday tasks on his own, to needing constant assistance. My dad was a very stubborn and independent man, and he constantly said that losing his independence and ability to care for himself was the hardest part about ALS.

My dad’s pain was so severe, he went into atrial fibrillation twice, which resulted in two cardioversions. He was then placed in a rehabilitation facility in November 2021.

After months in the facility, we made the decision to admit my dad to the VA Emergency Department. The soonest appointment to see a neurologist was months away and he needed to be seen sooner than that. We knew taking him to the hospital would immediately result in a neurology consult. He was tested for ALS and was diagnosed on his third day there. He was then sent back to the rehabilitation facility, where he passed less than two weeks after his diagnosis.

ALS put my dad in an insufferable amount of pain, took away his independence, and robbed him of so many other milestones that my brothers and I will not get to share with him. I carry the grief from my dad to every table I come to. I remember him as the man who raised four kids to be just like him. I remember him being the neighbor always offering a helping hand. I remember him being the man who had three dogs and counting because he just could not tell his kids no when they asked. I remember him as my dad, my hero.

The ALS Therapy Development Institute is so crucial in helping prevent other children like my brothers and I from losing their parents. I am so grateful for their work and confident in their mission to develop treatments for those with ALS.

On Sunday, March 19th, I'm proud to be running as part of Team ALS TDI for the upcoming United Airlines NYC Half. I will be running 13.1 miles on behalf of The ALS Therapy Development Institute, an Official Charity Partner. Your donations fuel our continuous efforts to advance promising drugs and help END ALS. Please help me by making a donation. 

Thank You!

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