Commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neuron disease among other names, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is deadly disease characterized by the rapid progression of symptoms, often leading to death within 3 to 5 years of onset. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this terrible disease, you need to pick up the phone and call the CDB today.

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

ALS is the most common of the five motor neuron diseases which are currently known to exist. While still fairly rare, it is unfortunately also the most severe of these diseases and is characterized by the rapid degeneration of the motor neuron which control voluntary movement throughout the body. Due to the patients’ progressive inability to take care of themselves, the associated medical and other costs can quickly overwhelm even those in the most secure financial situation. Fortunately, the Canadian Disability Tax Credit Program was designed for exactly this sort of scenario and can provide you with tens of thousands of dollars in disability benefits.

Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The primary symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis all revolve around the rapid deterioration of a person’s ability to control their body’s voluntary movements. In roughly 75% of cases the symptoms begin in the limbs and may be mistaken for simple clumsiness or poor coordination. However, unlike what we refer to as clumsiness, the symptoms of muscle weakness and loss of dexterity continue to progress and spread beyond the limbs to more central functions such as swallow and speech.

While typical onset of symptoms occurs between the ages of 40 and 60, ALS can strike at any age. One of the most famous cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is that of the physicist Stephen Hawking who was diagnosed at the age of 21. In addition to its unusually early onset, Dr. Hawking’s case is significant in another way too; he has now lived for more than 50 years with the disease while the average life expectancy is generally considered to be 39 months with only about 4% of patients surviving 10 years or longer.

How Canadian Disability Benefits Helps

No matter what your financial situation or age might be when you or someone you care for is diagnosed with ALS, the progressive and debilitating nature of the disease makes it especially devastating on every level. While caring for the person you love and watching their health and strength slip away, the last thing you should need to worry about is money. The CDB can help you move quickly through the Canadian Disability Benefits application process and qualify for the maximum benefits that you qualify for.