May 31, 2010
As ALS Awareness Month comes to an end, Voice for Joanie would like to thank the following area businesses for their generous support for our May 1st fund-raising event at the Holiday Restaurant in New Milford .
H.H.Taylor & Son, Glenn Wilson, DMD, Carvel – New Milford , Union Savings Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury , NY Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Joe's Salon, BigY Mary Kay-Lorraine Petitt, Emalyn Sweets, Charter Communications, WalMart, Knights of Columbus Council #40, Lore’s Lanes, Zumba of Brookfield, Magic Marty Steinberg, RNM Entertainment-DJ
Their contributions will help significantly in our campaign to finance purchases of new speech technology for the paralyzed victims of Lou Gehrig’s disease. We would also like to thank all our many friends who attended the event, and who continue to provide valuable help as volunteers and patrons.
Founded in 1991, Voice for Joanie has used computer technology to help “bring a voice to the voiceless” to more than 750 persons in Connecticut and nearby Massachusetts and New York who have been paralyzed by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Donations and volunteer support enable us to provide this expensive technology to our clients without charge and tailored to their special needs.
Shirley A. FredlundVolunteer Executive Director
Voice for Joanie, Inc.
"
I would talk with her on the phone and notice
the slurring in her words. I
would go to visit her and notice she was having more difficulty; this continued
to a point where she was unable to talk and move. The only thing she was able
to do was blink. We used to talk to each other with a letter board. I would
point to the letter and she would indicate by blinking which letter she wished
to use and we would spell out words. And I thought, there has to be a better way ".
Building hope in the blink of an eyeVFJ Video
NEW MILFORD: The gift of voice About Joanie
Voice For Joanie is a non- profit corporation that provides assistive technology to people suffering with ALS, so they may have a "voice".
VFJ volunteer(s) meets with the client and family members to evaluate the need and to determine which communication equipment will help. Computer technology is adapted and modified according to specific needs, and a volunteer is assigned to each client to provide continuous individual support.
During the 18 years it has been in existence helping those suffering from ALS, Voice For Joanie has assisted over 584 people.
Some other famous people with ALS
Joanie was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
ALS ( Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system which causes degeneration in both upper and lower motor neurons and results in muscle weakness.
Danbury Area Computer Society - One
of many organizations supporting VFJ with donations
and VolunteersThankyou Page
Links
