Help Kelly Salvati Get the 24-Hour Care She Desperately Needs
I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for help for our incredible mom, Kelly Salvati.
For the past five years, my mom has bravely fought Bulbar ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) — a progressive and terminal illness that normally has a life expectancy of two to five years. Bulbar ALS starts by attacking the muscles that control speech, swallowing, and breathing. The first signs are often subtle: a change in voice, slurred words, and difficulty swallowing. But these symptoms quickly progress, leaving a person unable to speak or eat normally, requiring a feeding tube to maintain nutrition, loss of movement/paralysis, and eventually leading to respiratory failure.
My mom is in the late stages of ALS and is now quadriplegic, unable to speak, eat, move, or care for herself in any way. We are blessed that she can still communicate through a specialized iPad that senses her eye movements. Her body is shutting down, but she is aware and present. Even while fighting this disease, she has done the impossible by remaining a loving mom, devoted grandmother, loyal friend, and the heart of our family. Despite everything, my mom is strong and determined to be here with us for as long as possible.
Samantha has been caring for mom full-time at home, but she now urgently needs 24-hour care in a specialized facility. After over five years of this fight, we’ve exhausted all resources and are faced with asking for help. From feeding tubes and power wheelchairs to speech-generating devices, specialized medical equipment, home modifications, and 24/7 caregiving, most of these expenses are not fully covered by insurance.
For these reasons, I am trying to raise enough money to cover one year of 24-hour care at a facility equipped to assist ALS patients. Every donation, big or small, will go to supporting my mom. If you’re unable to give, please consider sharing this campaign with others.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support and for helping us give our mom the care, peace, and dignity she deserves as we navigate this heartbreaking time.
With so much love and gratitude,
Samantha Salvati & Ashley Miller
