Hello to all my readers! I’ve spent the past several years happily posting to you about my passion for Nascar, never really straying from that front. However, I believe the time has arrived to use this platform for more than just talking about my favorite sport. Almost every driver uses his platform in Nascar to support people less fortunate than themselves, typically selecting one area in particular to support. And as my first article of this nature, I decided I would call some support to ALS, and the Dapper McDonald Charitable Foundation.

Before I begin in the charitable area, I’d like to explain a little bit about ALS. It’s actual name is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ALS is a very dangerous disease, which usually proves fatal within 3-5 years of diagnosis. It isn’t an easy disease to trace, as it can occur in any person, at any age. It is slightly more common in elderly people, and in younger people it is slightly more likely to be a man diagnosed. Worst of all, some studies show it is 50 to 100% more likely to occur in military veterans. About 5 to 10% of the people diagnosed have a familial relation to someone who previously had the disease.

Now, if your anything like me your probably wondering what ALS is. It is a rare disease group, the forms of which effect your nerves. The effects cause loss of control over your muscle movement, which basically ends you ability to move in any way, or perform any tasks such as eating, walking, talking, and several others. The disease is rare, but it unfortunately without a known cure, or any way in which to halt it’s progression. The symptoms of this disease are muscle twitches and cramp, slurred and nasal speech, and muscular weakness in arms, legs, diaphragm, and neck.

The sad truth about this disease is that is an incurable one. But that does not mean help cannot be provided to those suffering from it. And that is where the Dapper house comes in. The Dapper house is a charitable foundation devoted to helping those who have been diagnosed with the disease. The foundation creates comfortable home spaces for those who are suffering from the disease, and aids them through the process. The foundation was created after the passing of E. Richard ‘Dapper’ McDonald, a former Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, in 2009. McDonald was a beloved Marine, father, business man. His death shocked his family and friends, and called much attention to relatively unknown disease. The Dapper House was founded in his name in honor of the fight he displayed for his life.

The Dapper McDonald Charitable Foundation provides support for these people. My mission with this article is to spread awareness of this. This disease is a growing issue, and one which needs addressing, and support. If you want to support them or learn more, visit http://www.dapperhouse.org. I hope that this article has been helpful, and will continue to spread word of the disease. Its an important thing to remember that the world has so much struggle in it, and that we can help support it.