Hello.

My name is Joy Parker and I’m grateful to have been asked to speak with you today.

I was diagnosed with ALS last April. For years I had felt my body grow weaker, and for years I all I wanted was my doctor to tell me what was wrong. But when all the tests were done, and my doctor said those three letters, it was like a punch in the stomach.

Each day I wake up and ask myself, “What did I lose today? Can I still walk unassisted? Will I be too tired to work?” The hardest thing is when Nicole, my 5-year-old daughter, asks me, “Mom, when will you get better”?

People have told me how brave I am to be facing ALS at such a young age. But I will tell you a secret: my bravery comes from those around me. My family, my doctors, my friends…. and you.

Because seriously, you can’t find anyone braver than New York Firefighters.

While there are many people out there raising money for MDA and ALS, only Firefighters are willing to literally stand in traffic to collect it.

You might not know this, but Firefighters have been working on a cure for ALS since before I was born. The Fireman’s Boot Drive has been around since the mid 1950’s, and is one of the longest running fund drives for neuromuscular diseases like muscular dystrophy and ALS.

Your hard work here today will have real results tomorrow. When I was diagnosed with ALS, I was immediately put on the breakthrough drug called Rilutek. Each month’s prescription is over $1,000, but its results are priceless. Because of this drug, I am able to still walk with assistance and I am keeping the symptoms of ALS at bay.

My prognosis has been lengthened from months to years. And that’s a good thing because with medication, the support of the MDA, and the continuing support of all of you, I will succeed in my goal:  I will see my five year old daughter graduate from high school.

Thank you for all of your efforts and continuing fight against ALS.