In 2010 I graduated in Northeast Ohio with my bachelor's degree and began looking forward to graduate school in Florida and a big move ahead of me. My dad, a perfectly healthy, 53-year old man, began having some strange symptoms. His speech began sounding slurred, he was losing weight, and he would run out of energy quickly. I went to several doctors appointments with him trying to figure out what was going on. The day it hit me, I remember leaving an appointment at the neurologist's office. I was quiet on the car ride home and he asked me what was wrong. The neurologist did not diagnosis my dad that day but the list of symptoms he had discussed with us left an awful feeling inside of me. Although my dad still felt generally good, he had no idea what was going on. When we got home I looked up some information and that's when I knew my dad had ALS. I called the neurologist's office and asked to speak to the doctor to determine if that was also his suspicion. After I hung up the phone I drove to my brothers house. We sat down and I remember telling my brother that our father was going to die and he still had no idea what was happening to him. I ended up moving to Florida in July and in September my dad was Officially diagnosed with ALS by a specialist. My dad turned 54 in February and on March 19, 2011 he passed away. Two months after my dad passed away I was to begin my Master's program  in Speech-Language Pathology, talk about Irony. (Speech-language Pathologists work closely with patients who have ALS) I almost moved back to Ohio and did not start grad school. I chose the better option to continue on with my plan to become an SLP. When I started as a speech pathology student, I thought I wanted to work with adults but after losing my dad I didn't know how that would be possible. I finished graduate school in 2014. I am now an SLP and I work in the medical field with adults. Although I am constantly reminded at work about what my dad went through, I am truly passionate about my patients and the work that I do.

In the Spring of 2021, I would like all who are able to join my team, "Team Barner -Your Love Lives On-" in memory of a great man.  I greatly appreciate your donations or even just your support by walking with my team.  The last several years at the walk have been a great success and I would like to thank everyone who participated over the years!

Thank you for helping me reach my Walk to Defeat ALS® fundraising goal! This is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to support those affected by Lou Gehrig's Disease and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.

Please consider walking with me or sponsoring me. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease. I encourage you get your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers involved!

Why We Need Your Help

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.

This crippling disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. In the mean time it costs an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need. Help make a difference and donate or join a walk today.