Tony Gegor Patient Assistance FundTony Gegor was diagnosed with ALS in April of 2008. He quickly realized individuals afflicted with ALS are forced to make major changes to their daily lives. ALS patients quickly lose the ability to walk, drive, feed themselves, brush their teeth and do things everyone takes for granted each day. Determined to remain as mobile as he could, for as long as he could, Tony wasn't going to let ALS stop him from doing what he enjoyed. Tony committed himself to getting up and fighting this disease every day. When ALS limited his strength and dexterity, Tony’s family and friends helped him modify a scooter, then a golf cart , allowing him to attend truck & car shows, go shopping, visit restaurants, to manuever and travel freely, without assistance. Tony gave his first electric scooter to another person who was stricken with ALS. He felt good being able to pay forward some of the gifts others gave him, knowing those gifts would make a positive infuence in other patients lives. From diagnosis until today, Tony’s hope has been for other persons with ALS to have the best chance to maintain joy and dignity in their lives. Quality of life is vitally important to those with ALS. It was this realization that served as the catalyst for Tony to envision creating the Tony Gegor Patient Assistance Fund so other ALS patients can receive some financial assistance to modify their living environment to accommodate this debilitating disease. Insurance and Medicare may purchase a power wheelchair, but do not pay for ramps or home modifications. Widening a doorway, making a bedroom or bathroom wheelchair assessable, adding quality of life for ALS patients are the designated uses of this fund. In 2012 this fund was established with a generous initial gift from members of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), and with the help of The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter, to provide patient funding modifications that make a patient’s life more enjoyable. Grant decisions can be made quickly as time is a precious commodity for ALS patients. |
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