The ALS Comedy Crew is a totally unique and exciting support program offered through I AM ALS’ ALS Support Team. Participants living with ALS gather weekly over six-week sessions to support one another through humorous exercises and plenty of laughter. The power of humor to inspire joy and laughter can be a critical lifeline for those with life-altering prognoses like ALS. But don’t just take it from us — take it from ALS Comedy Crew participant Joe Redmond!

Humor has always been one of my refuges. I’ve always used humor to break the tension when I was in uncomfortable situations…many times to my detriment!

My ALS affects my speaking and my balance. I slur and have to repeat my words and I sway side-to-side. I often say, “It’s like I’m drunk!” When I was newly diagnosed, I was telling a group of friends that and added, “Except when I drink, I talk better and walk straighter!” To ME, that was HILARIOUS! To THEM…well, they gave me a shocked look, like I had SHOT THEM!

We NEED humor in our situations! We have a LOT to be depressed about, so, we need humor to lighten our loads. We have a very serious disease, so, a smile and a giggle allows us to transcend our situation and forget about our condition, for a while. The I AM ALS Comedy Crew allows us to do just that! We can share a laugh with others IN OUR SITUATION, who need to laugh, TOO!