Shaleen Latchman is facing ALS with courage, supported every step of the way by the ALS Society of Canada.
The day Shaleen Latchman was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2022, her first thoughts were of her sons. “I thought, ‘I won’t be at their weddings. I won’t hold my grandchildren. I won’t be able to give them my love and support throughout their lives,’” she says.
But Shaleen hasn’t let fear define her. “I try to stay in the moment each day,” she says. “I don’t live my life in the darkness when there’s still so much light.”
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain can no longer communicate with the muscles of the body, losing the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. Most people diagnosed live only two to five years. There is no cure, and few treatments.
Finding strength through support
From the moment of her diagnosis, the ALS Society of Canada was by Shaleen’s side. A Community Lead connected with her, offering guidance on navigating the health care system and helping her access essential equipment. “Having someone guide me and give me strength I didn’t know I had, has been incredible,” she says. “With their support, I’m not facing ALS alone.”
Life has changed dramatically: breathing is difficult, meals require assistance, and her 19-year-old son, Joshua, helps manage her medications and respiratory care. Still, Shaleen focuses on what she can do: bringing friends, family, and neighbours together to fundraise and participate in her local ALS Canada Walk to End ALS.
The ALS Society of Canada works to change what it means to live with ALS. It funds Canada’s most promising research to develop treatments, offers support services, provides trusted information and resources, and advocates for equitable access to therapies, care, and research funding. ALS Canada’s work is powered by donors who share the vision of a world free of ALS.
This Giving Tuesday, give generously to support people affected by ALS at als.ca.
