Page 72 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2023 - Online Magazine

OPPORTUNITY
TO Serve

West Texas ALS Support Group

EMPOWERING LIVES

By Laura Landes

n the heart of West Texas, amidst After Jackie’s passing in March group has become a lifeline for many
the rolling plains and warm- 2020, Patricia handed the reigns to families facing the challenges of ALS.
Ihearted communities, the West Amanda Stephens, Jackie’s former
Texas ALS Support Group stands as speech–language pathologist, who The West Texas ALS Support Group
a beacon of strength and assistance has continued to direct the support is driven by the passion to make
for families battling Amyotrophic group and established it as a non- a difference in the lives of those
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in Lubbock profit in November 2022. Becoming affected by ALS. Their unwavering
and its surrounding areas. a non-profit has enabled the West commitment offers a wide range
Texas ALS Support Group to accept of essential medical supplies and
In 2018, Jackie Shaw was diagnosed financial equipment, easing the burden
with ALS. She and her daughters donations and
quickly realized that, due to a lack begin working
of knowledge of resources in the towards
Lubbock area, they were forced to founding an
seek care at a specialty clinic in the ALS specialty
Dallas area instead. In November clinic here in
2019, with encouragement from West Texas,
Eddie Fitzgerald, this local group as the nearest
was founded by Jackie Shaw, along specialty clinic
with her daughter, Patricia England, is more than
with a mission to provide support 300 miles away.
and encouragement. The support

72 Lubbock Senior Link