My wife was just diagnosed with ALS…what now?
If someone you love—a spouse or partner—has just been diagnosed with ALS, you may wonder… What do I do now? A new journey, one filled with both challenges and moments of deep connection, is beginning for you and your family. In this difficult time, the most important thing to remember is that you and your wife are not alone. There is a vast community of people living with ALS—along with their families, caregivers, advocates, and researchers—all ready to support you at I AM ALS.
You may feel overwhelmed, and that’s okay. Give yourself time to process. Your wife will need space to come to terms with this new reality in her own way, and it’s important to let her communicate at her own pace. When the time feels right, you can begin to research how your role in her life may evolve. If you will become her caregiver, know that there are resources to guide you. I AM ALS offers support groups, personal stories from families who have been in your shoes, and an online resource center with caregiving guides to help you feel prepared. Surround yourself with community: friends, family, or others who understand, so that you don’t have to carry this weight alone. ALS is a life-changing diagnosis, but it does not have to be isolating.
As you and your wife adjust to the changes ahead, know that help is within reach. Finding the right medical care and support shouldn’t be an added burden. Synapticure, a personalized virtual care network founded by Brian Wallach, provides immediate access to specialists, clinical trials, and therapy—all from the comfort of your home. This ensures that mobility or transportation challenges will never stand in the way of your wife getting the care she deserves.
Though this road may be difficult, you will also find moments of profound love, resilience, and connection. At I AM ALS, we dream of a future where eventually ALS is a manageable chronic disease, but until that day comes, we are grateful and prepared to be wholeheartedly in your corner through this journey.