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! Learn more about the Comedy Crew and sign up to join.

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!