I wrote this on November 28th, 2025. Lizzy had just arrived. The Les Turner ALS Foundation had chosen our story to anchor their awareness campaign — and for the first time, our journey was being seen by people who didn’t already know and love us. It was humbling and overwhelming in equal measure. I share it now because the words still hold. And because the people who made this year survivable deserve to see themselves reflected in them.
Originally written on November 28, 2025
Living with ALS is incredibly difficult.
I know that firsthand. So does Grace. So does every person who has shown up at our door, carried me up a flight of stairs, brushed my teeth, or sat with us in silence because silence was enough.
Not only for the person diagnosed — but for every single person who loves them.
Statistics can tell you how many people are living with a disease.
“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”
— Albert Einstein
What the numbers cannot tell you is how many lives are touched by it. How many hearts are stretched. How many hands are held. How many nights are spent in quiet tears, loud cries, and unwavering faith.
The impact is EXPONENTIAL.
And yet, despite the incredible challenges of this year, we are so blessed. Truly — aside from the disease itself — everything I have ever prayed for came true this year.
We have been surrounded by an extraordinary circle of family and friends who have shown us what it means to love without boundaries. They have stretched themselves to take care of us, and in doing so, they have expanded our hearts as well. I didn’t think it was possible to love the people in my life more than I already did — but this year showed me otherwise. I now see each of them in a deeper, more profound way.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.”
— James 1:17
And above all — Lizzy.
Our daughter arrived this month. And the word “gift” doesn’t begin to cover it.
She is the greatest thing that has ever happened to us. Full stop.
Today, our story is being featured by the Les Turner ALS Foundation as part of their effort to raise awareness and funding. You can watch the video here [link] and read the full feature here [link]. If you’d like to support our growing needs, our GoFundMe is here [link]. All the links are below…
Thank you — for your prayers, your support, and for continuing to walk this journey with us.
Love has shown up in ways that numbers will never be able to calculate.
That love is what keeps us going.
That love is what keeps me breathing.
— Cecil
GO ADVENTURE ◆ GO TRAVEL ◆ GO LIVE
ALWAYS BE EPIC
Here are the three links:
🎥 Video: https://youtu.be/youdWTBfcVs?si=4uvfPyv5lwYYgXkp
🌐 Les Turner Foundation feature: https://lesturnerals.org/the-heart-does-the-giving-the-fingers-just-let-go/
💙 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-cecil-and-grace-through-cecils-battle-with-als?
Secret of My SucCecil 