I “met" Ed in 2000. I had just come back from living in the UK to be with my dad who had been battling cancer. I had left at the onset of his disease, and he called me in Nov 99 to let me know of progression of the cancer and the doctors pretty much said they really couldn’t do much more. I arrived back in Oz New Year’s Eve and settled into a pattern of hanging with dad, working and settling back into life in Australia. As dad’s condition deteriorated we stayed inside more and more. And the internet was just staring to be a thing! MSN had opened chat rooms and I would spend time interacting with people there. One of the rooms was a trivial pursuit room. Ed was one of the regulars. We started chatting and we looked forward to “seeing" each other online. After my dad died I decided to travel again, and was in the middle of planning a US visit. Other people in the group I had made friends with along side Ed offered me accommodation, which I gladly took up their offers. When I first got to WA Ed and I hit it off and we spent a wonderful week exploring parts of Washington. I then continued my travels around the US, returning to WA a few times before finally flying home. The next April Ed came to Australia to visit and we had fun seeing the sights of Vic and spending a long weekend In Sydney. Ed loved Australia, he had been there a couple of times when he was in the navy and always wanted to go back. Just before he left to come back to WA we decided I would come over in the summer and see where life would take us. August 26th 03 we got married. I had to go back to Oz to sort out my affairs, quit my job and pack my crap. By Nov I was back and settled into life in small town USA. I was waiting for a green card and started volunteering at the senior center and where I work now. We had plans to stay here for another couple of years before moving to Oz. A little person changed all that! Avery was born early 05. So we decided in 2015 we would move. Life was as expected, ups and downs. But on the whole good. We had our little family, we had a vacation each year, we had good friends and jobs and were looking forward to the future. In 2015 all that changed with a cancer diagnosis for Ed. It was scary thinking of where that would lead us, but the doctor was very optimistic that Ed would be ok. And he was! A year down the track and life once again was turned upside down. Ed was diagnosed with ALS and all plans were ceased. The only plans we had were to make sure Ed was safe and comfortable and could participate in his life for as long as he could. We spent 20 yrs sharing our lives. It’s hard to comprehend that it’s over. ALS Will guarantee you a future without your spouse. Below is an org dedicated to checking charities so you can see where your money goes to. https://give.org/home ALS research needs funding and exposure. It needs FDA approval. It needs cooperation and collaboration from pharmaceutical companies. People with ALS need fast tracking SSI support. They need carers with knowledge on how to care for someone with ALS. They need EMTs and ER doctors trained in correct respiratory support for people who have ALS. People with ALS need a cure.