Brad in Georgetown (Photo: Reed)
He was waiting for a bus but said we could talk until the bus came. Originally from New Jersey, Brad is somewhat new to the DC area where he works as an internet strategy consultant.
Knowing that I had potentially very little time until his bus came, I got his email and asked if I could take a picture of him. He said sure. While I was taking pictures, I asked him what he was going to do with the $10. He said, “I’d like to say that I am going to donate it, but it’s probably going to get used for dinner tonight.”
Right then his bus came and we parted ways.
Barnes & Noble Georgetown (Photo: Reed)
Later that night I ended up losing my small notebook that I take notes in, but luckily got it back when I retraced my steps and discovered that it had fallen out of my backpack outside of the Barnes & Noble and somebody had turned it in to the security guard at the bookstore.
I got home that night and thought that I would just leave the blog entry for that day as it was…I didn’t get a lot of information about Brad, but such is life right. However, I thought that maybe I would just Google Brad and see what I found. I am so glad I did. Had I not, I wouldn’t have discovered a much more beautiful story underneath the surface.
Before I go any further, I should let you know that when I found out what I am about to share with you I contacted Brad and asked permission to share this with the readers of my blog.
Brad’s mother, Joan Dancy, was diagnosed in 2002 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This is a disease that I have heard of all my life but I didn’t know much about it. Here are some facts:
- ALS can happen to anyone
- ALS has no known cause
- ALS is diagnosed in 14 people everyday
- ALS affects 30,000 people in the US at any given time
- ALS is always fatal
(source: http://www.joandancyandpals.com/facts.php)
Brad’s mother battled the fatal disease until 2006 when she passed away. Later that year her fiancé, Terry Magovern (former personal assistant to Bruce Springsteen), founded The Joan Dancy & PALS Foundation. The PALS stands for People with ALS. Joan and her family and loved ones discovered that despite their urban location and proximity to numerous medical centers, there was a tremendous need for resources at the local level to help people afflicted with ALS. Before she passed away she decided that somebody needed to change this. Terry continued the work and in 2006 her dream became a reality when he launched the foundation which is committed to improving quality of life for ALS patients and their loved ones in the ways that matter most. Sadly, Terry passed away unexpectedly in July of 2007 and the organization is now lead by Terry’s son Sean. As an Advisory Board member, Brad is active in the organization and heads up some of the fundraising events that they do.
I spoke to Brad about what it was like dealing with this disease. “It’s really tough because the disease moves very fast. The body degenerates but the person’s mind knows exactly what’s going on.” This was the case with his mother. I can only imagine how difficult that must have been on Brad and his family..
Because there is no cure and because this disease is so hard on the individual and their family, groups like the Joan Dancy and PALS Foundation are extremely important. According to Brad, the foundation holds support meetings once a month, about 40 people who meet to help one another improve the quality of life of those living with ALS.
Joan Dancy (Photo: http://www.joandancyandpals.com)
I was so touched by this story. Maybe because I also lost my mother to a terrible disease…maybe because of the courage I felt from Brad in how he and others have managed to honor his mother so beautifully with the foundation. I urge all of you to visit the website of this very special organization. They survive through donations and proceeds from special events that they hold…hopefully I can make it to one of them this year so that I can personally experience the love that this group has for those living with ALS.
By the way, when I spoke to Brad this past Wednesday he said the $10 was still in his wallet! I hope he will comment here and share with all of us how he uses the $10!
Year of Giving 
Hi Reed,
Reading your post about Brad’s mother was both heartbraking and hopeful. I’m glad to hear that something positive was able to come out of Joan’s suffering. ALS is such a horrible, quickly progressing disease. I do clinical research trials for a California University and we are currently doing 2 separate trials for medications to try and help slow the progression and symptoms of ALS. While there is no cure for ALS, I pray that the research being done will help to improve the quality of life for those suffering with the disease. Thanks for sharing their story.
It just never ceases to amaze me how intricate each human being is, and how much incredible energy each of us possesses. I think that is the main reason why I love your site and read it each day- it just renews my faith in humanity and makes me feel privileged to hear each person’s story. Thanks for slowing down long enough to bring this lovely tapestry of people in our world to the forefront each day. Bless all of us!!!
I discovered your blog just yesterday at the beginning of a long work day at my job working as a sign language interpreter. Every break I had yesterday and today I was reading your blog in chronolocial order til I caught up this afternoon. Home now and wanted to let you know that it not only kept me going throgh my days (kept my interest like an unfolding novel– what will happen next?) but also stuck with me afterward because of all of the people’s lives and your interactions with them was so touching. I love that you chose a project with some aspects which were big and very challenging — a year’s committment is formidable and the investment when you are unemployed; and some aspects which are bite-sized and very relatable to anyone, really– gifts of $10, the random, intuitive way you choose. It’s just such a great combination of factors that make for a genuine life-enhancing experience for you and inspiration for all of us. I belong to a UU Congregation and teach Sunday school where our main focus the year is compassion and service to others. We’ll have a great time talking about your project!
My only question is: after several months in DC how have you not yet met up with a Gallaudet student? ; )
—Laura
Gosh, everybody has a story don’t they.
Thanks for sharing so much.
I knew Joan Dancy for the last 18 months of her too short life. She was such an incredible person. Trapped in her own body, this dynamic woman touched our lives beyond words. ALS is the worst affliction that any human can go through. Joan Dancy and PALS foundation touches the ALS community like no other because it is there to help families, guide them and support them through this horrendous illness. When a person is diagnosed with ALS, their whole family is affected and the Joan Dancy Foundation has been there. She knew…
I truly believe in 6 degrees of separation and this just re-affirms that for me. I think Joan may have directed you to Brad that day at the bus stop. Did you see a rabbitt hanging around the area?
Thank you for your ingenious idea and keep up the good work.
Great story!
Ironically, I noticed that a local restaurant here in Hershey/Hummelstown, PA is hosting a “Pasta for PALS” benefit in a few weeks! They do it every year, and is evidently successful.
Great job getting the word out on this awful disease.
I just saw your story on NBC4 and thought it was incredibly inspiring. I’ve read so many of your posts here tonight and feel moved to action. who knows, I may just start my own year of giving. Thanks for being a great example of simple humanity.
Wow, this is a GREAT story! I LOVE your blog!!! Everyone has a story in them.
I would like to thank Reed for sharing this with the world. PALS ( people with ALS ) is a small, but growing foundation in honor of my mom who is deeply missed. We help those living with the disease lives a bit easier, but it goes a long way.
If you would like to help support the Joan Dancy and PALS foundation, please feel free to contact me. We, and more importantly those living with ALS can use your support!
Dancy.Brad@gmail.com
Thank you Reed!
Brad
Just heard about about on NPR. My respect!
[…] in attendance this evening were two other friends of the Year of Giving: Brad D. from Day 101 and Robert E. from Day 225. Both their stories are woven into the stage version of the project. […]