Bob Stehlin, Imperial, Missouri
Laura and Bob Stehlin
Upon hearing about his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in September 2009, Bob Stehlin vowed to fight the disease with all his strength. He started the RASCALS Foundation to bolster medical and social service programs for others with the fatal neurodegenerative disease who live in Eastern Missouri as well as in Central and Southern Illinois. In addition, Stehlin wanted to support The ALS Association’s vision to create a world without ALS.
For his steadfast support of The Association’s St. Louis Regional Chapter, the chapter will pay tribute to Stehlin and his wife and caregiver, Laura, in May during ALS Awareness Month for the annual “ALS Across America” campaign.
“RASCALS helps us to spread ALS awareness,” said the chapter’s Director of Care Services and Chapter Programs, Mary Riggs, M.S., CRC, LPC. “Bob— along with his family and friends— started this group that works well with our chapter’s programs and services.” The foundation has donated research funds to the St. Louis University ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic, which The Association deemed a Certified Center of Excellence in 2005. These funds supported ALS-specific research in the St. Louis area.
RASCALS, an acronym for the Robert A. Stehlin Campaign for ALS, will continue its social media campaign for ALS awareness via Facebook throughout May. The foundation has used social media since 2010; its social media sites provide information about online patient support groups and the Missouri Scholarship program, which provides funding to children under 18 who plan to attend college as well as to those already enrolled in college and have parents living with the disease.
Stehlin, 49, a former employee at Home Service Oil for 11 years, works with the chapter and relies on it for information about dealing with the disease. He utilizes a power wheelchair for mobility.
“The RASCALS Foundation is a complement to our chapter,” Riggs said. “We look forward to their direct support of the 2012 ALS Association’s children’s programming in 2012.” Through the foundation’s support, the chapter has provided counseling to children whose parents are battling the disease. RASCALS has also allowed the chapter to provide these children with gifts during the holiday season.
Riggs said Stehlin plans to support ALS Awareness Month activities through participating in a radio awareness campaign on Hot 104.1, KFNS, Y98 and KMOX.
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