ALS Support Groups
The Chapter reaches out to individuals with ALS, their families and their caregivers through monthly support group meetings for both individuals with ALS, families and caregivers.
The support group meetings are upbeat gatherings that focus on coping with ALS and its challenges and providing information and resources to meet those challenges. Speakers discuss topics ranging from nutrition to respiratory and swallowing issues. The meetings provide a supportive environment where tears, smiles and laughter are all part of the sharing. For specific information on support group days/times/locations please click here.
Equipment Loan Program
The Chapter maintains an inventory of gently used durable medical equipment and assistive devices that are available for loan to registered Chapter members at no cost. Equipment ranges from a bath seat to a power wheelchair. To view a general listing of equipment available click here
Communication Devices
The Chapter maintains an inventory of augmentative/alternative communication devices ranging from low tech/communication boards to computerized devices with synthesized speech. The devices are loaned through the Chapter in partnership with area Speech Therapists, who work directly with individuals with ALS and provide evaluations and training on the devices. For more information on Communication Devices or if you need information or assistance in getting an evaluation for a communication device, please contact Lori Banker-Horner at
(414) 817-1541 or lori@alsawi.org.
ALS Certified Clinic
The ALS Clinic at Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin is the 26th ALSA Certified Center in the country, providing neurological diagnostics and imaging, as well as access to the services of a team of highly trained health care professionals specializing in ALS. Under the medical direction of Dr. Paul Barkhaus, the ALS Clinic Team consists of a Nurse Clinic Coordinator, Social Worker, Dietitian, Speech/Swallow Specialist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Chaplain and ALS Patient Services Staff. For more information regarding the ALS Clinic, please call Robin Stanczyk, Patient Services Coordinator at (262) 402-8148 or robin@alsawi.org.
Special Programs
The Chapter Patient Services Staff is continually looking at ways to reach out and provide support to the patients and families they serve. One of the ways this is done is providing special educational programs. The Chapter organizes an annual ALS Patient Care and Research Symposium which is held each May to provide information on patient care and services as well as updates in the research area. Special keynote speakers are invited to share the most up-to-date information with our Chapter members. If you would like to be on the mailing and email lists for this special event, please contact Lori Banker-Horner (414) 817-1541 or lori@alsawi.org.
Grant Programs
In February 2009, the Chapter unveiled two new Grant Programs available to individuals diagnosed with ALS.
The Flex Grant Program provides individuals the opportunity to apply for two $500 grants per year to use towards costs associated with home and vehicle modifications, assistive devices, communication devices and other approved costs.
The Transportation Grant Program provides individuals the opportunity to apply for four $250 grants per year to use towards transportation costs related to clinic/medical visits, special Chapter programs and other approved costs.
The Grant Applications are available on this website in pdf form. Please contact Chapter Patient Services
at (414) 817-1541 or lori@alsawi.org if you have any questions. |
