If you are a CALS (a caregiver of someone with ALS), you may or may not know about ALS family and caregiver support groups, and you may or may not attend for any number of reasons. For the past three years, I have not.

When Stan was initially diagnosed in August of 2019, we went to a few of the meetings in Bend. These meetings quickly became overwhelming, especially for Stan. Staring reality in the face like that added a new level to his depression and anxiety, so we stopped; then covid came and went, and then we were sort of riding the everything’s-good-so-we-don’t-need–it-train. This past spring, however, at the Central Oregon ALS Walk, we learned that all but one of the PALS who were attending the meetings in 2019 had passed away. It was a sobering bit of news.

If you, like me, have been avoiding these meetings for these or similar (or other) reasons, I want to encourage you to give it a try. Sharing experiences, laughs, tears, and wisdom with those on the same journey is hugely beneficial.

This is what I learned a couple weeks ago from a fellow CALS whose wife has ALS: Get yourselves outside!

It’s such a simple thing, and yet when my husband says he doesn’t feel like walking, I usually let him alone. Alone and isolated is a very real threat to the overall health of both CALS and PALS. This lovely gentleman at the support group urged me to ignore the protests (as long as your PALS is in no danger), because getting outside for a walk, a shuffle, or a push is sometimes the best medicine for anxiety and depression–for both of you.

While the verse below is a word of encouragement to Joshua as he prepares to lead the people into the Promised Land after 40 years in the desert and the death of Moses, I believe there is wisdom here for all of us as we step into new territory:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9-11