Single ALS Mom

My name is Jennifer Coffill. I was born and raised in Florida. I am a 34 year old single mother of a beautiful, smart and energetic 3 year old daughter named Carrie Lynn. I started having symptoms of ALS a year and a half ago and was finally diagnosed 6 months ago, the day before Thanksgiving. I saw nine different doctors before a positive diagnosis was made. After 2 days of painful testing and an excruciating spinal tap, the neurologist on call for the ER told me to go see a psychiatrist because whatever was wrong with me was all in my head. I kept reaching out to who ever would listen, even though that meant doors slammed in my face, getting hung up on over the phone and endless hours of waiting on hold and in doctor's offices.
Finally, a blessing from heaven, someone who knew ALS and who understood, a social worker for The ALS Association, Christine Bright. I am now in the care of Dr. Steven Cohen at Suncoast and the ALS clinic team in St Petersburg. ALS is a part of my life, but I am no longer consumed. I am blessed with a church family where I was lacking a blood family. I have the opportunity to share my testimony about my Father, Jesus Christ. I also have the chance to let my daughter know how much I love her and how much I will miss her until I see her again in heaven.
My concern now is for the future care of my beautiful little daughter. Please help support ALS Research through the DOD, so I may live longer. It is my desire that she be well loved and taken care of, even after I cannot provide that for her anymore. I ask that you continue to fund specific ALS research, pass legislation to authorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create and maintain a single nationwide ALS registry, and enact legislation that improves quality and availability of respite care services.
Jennifer Coffill