A week after this litter of puppies were born, my brother in law headed to the Mayo Clinic to figure out why

     he was losing strength and use of his arms. He was diagnosed with ALS. We are completely crushed.

 Erik is everyones favorite. He is tough, and loving and caring. He has been a high school football coach for

over 20 years changing boys lives. He is all of my kids favorite, and makes sure everyone around him knows they are loved. 

He is the most loving and caring husband and father. And gives and gives to the community around him. 

​

​

         You can learn more here:  

​

 

    From Eriks words:

"ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. This can lead to loss of function in the entire body—often starting with the arms, legs, and neck. This disease has already taken use of my right arm,

use of some of my left arm, and is starting in on my neck. Eventually, it will likely affect my ability to write, grip, walk, stand,

speak, swallow, and breathe. The average survival time is three years, but I am grateful that the type of ALS I have been              diagnosed with is a very rare and slowly progressing variant of ALS. This means that, with the grace of God,

     I could  live  several more years. I consider this a miracle and a tender mercy. I am so grateful for the gift of time."