Sunday, September 2, 2012
When Everything Changes- an Art Show/Fundraiser for the Les Turner ALS Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Lacey Wood, LWood@lesturnerals.org, 847-679-3311
Beth Richman, Brichman2002@yahoo.com, 773-252-3069
Expressive Arts Therapist Eve Brownstone Celebrates Life
at “When Everything Changes, an Arts4ALS Event” on May 10
Event will Showcase Artwork, Writings and Poetry by People Touched by ALS,
Commonly Known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Skokie, IL – (April XX, 2012) – When Eve Brownstone’s mother Judith Erickson was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the expressive arts therapist used art to express herself and heal from the painful experience. Her mother also turned to drawing, music and writing as a way to process what was going on. To celebrate life and honor people affected by ALS, Brownstone will host “When Everything Changes, an Arts4ALS Event” on May 10 at Flourish Studios, 3020 N. Lincoln, in Chicago. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. and feature an art exhibit, presentations, music, food and a raffle. The entrance fee is a suggested donation of $25 and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundation.
In 2010, Brownstone created Arts4ALS, a program that encourages ALS patients and their loved ones to create works of art to share with others and thus leave behind a permanent reminder of their journey. The program enables people to express their thoughts and emotions about not only the difficult journey with ALS, but also the gifts and blessings. Each year the artwork is exhibited at the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s ALS Walk4Life event, and recently, Brownstone has extended the messages of Arts4ALS into the Chicago Public Schools through interactive presentations called “When Everything Changes.”
“My mother maintained her lively, positive attitude throughout the entire year and a half that she lived with ALS, and it inspired me to do something meaningful in her honor that would benefit others who have been affected by the disease,” said Brownstone. “Through the Arts4ALS program I hope to reinforce that ALS takes a person’s body, but not their spirit.”
In late 2009, when Erickson began slurring her words, she became concerned. She sought advice from physicians, endured numerous tests, including a spinal tap, and eventually received an ALS diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. During the course of the disease, Erickson lost the ability to walk, speak and eat. Brownstone, her sisters and step-father were Erickson’s primary caregivers, helping with bathing and eating, and transporting her to doctor’s appointments and social outings. Despite her deterioration, she insisted on “living until she could no longer live,” explained Brownstone. “My mom lit up a room until the end.”
“We are extremely grateful to Eve for generously giving her time and talents to the ‘When Everything Changes, an Arts4ALS event,” said Wendy Abrams, executive director of the Les Turner ALS Foundation. “Funds raised through family and community events are critical to our organization and we are honored to be the beneficiary of such a wonderful effort.”
About ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neuron disease (MND), causes motor neurons to gradually stop working and die. The result is loss of nearly all voluntary movement, and other muscle functions such as speaking, swallowing, and—eventually—breathing. In the U.S., someone is diagnosed every 90 minutes, and approximately 35,000 people are living with ALS at any given time. Though average lifespan is three to five years from diagnosis, ALS progresses at different rates in each individual. An estimated 10 percent of all cases are inherited forms known as “familial ALS,” and a faulty protein pathway is known to play a role in all types of ALS. There is no cure for ALS, though treatment of the symptoms often improves quality of life.
About the Les Turner ALS Foundation
Since 1977, the Les Turner ALS Foundation has been a leader in research, patient care, and education about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and other motor neuron diseases (MND). The Foundation serves more than 90 percent of the ALS population in the Chicago area and is affiliated with Northwestern Medicine where it supports two world-class research laboratories and a multidisciplinary clinical program. The Les Turner ALS Foundation is a founding member of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.
Contacts:
Lacey Wood, LWood@lesturnerals.org, 847-679-3311
Beth Richman, Brichman2002@yahoo.com, 773-252-3069
Expressive Arts Therapist Eve Brownstone Celebrates Life
at “When Everything Changes, an Arts4ALS Event” on May 10
Event will Showcase Artwork, Writings and Poetry by People Touched by ALS,
Commonly Known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Skokie, IL – (April XX, 2012) – When Eve Brownstone’s mother Judith Erickson was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the expressive arts therapist used art to express herself and heal from the painful experience. Her mother also turned to drawing, music and writing as a way to process what was going on. To celebrate life and honor people affected by ALS, Brownstone will host “When Everything Changes, an Arts4ALS Event” on May 10 at Flourish Studios, 3020 N. Lincoln, in Chicago. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. and feature an art exhibit, presentations, music, food and a raffle. The entrance fee is a suggested donation of $25 and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundation.
In 2010, Brownstone created Arts4ALS, a program that encourages ALS patients and their loved ones to create works of art to share with others and thus leave behind a permanent reminder of their journey. The program enables people to express their thoughts and emotions about not only the difficult journey with ALS, but also the gifts and blessings. Each year the artwork is exhibited at the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s ALS Walk4Life event, and recently, Brownstone has extended the messages of Arts4ALS into the Chicago Public Schools through interactive presentations called “When Everything Changes.”
“My mother maintained her lively, positive attitude throughout the entire year and a half that she lived with ALS, and it inspired me to do something meaningful in her honor that would benefit others who have been affected by the disease,” said Brownstone. “Through the Arts4ALS program I hope to reinforce that ALS takes a person’s body, but not their spirit.”
In late 2009, when Erickson began slurring her words, she became concerned. She sought advice from physicians, endured numerous tests, including a spinal tap, and eventually received an ALS diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. During the course of the disease, Erickson lost the ability to walk, speak and eat. Brownstone, her sisters and step-father were Erickson’s primary caregivers, helping with bathing and eating, and transporting her to doctor’s appointments and social outings. Despite her deterioration, she insisted on “living until she could no longer live,” explained Brownstone. “My mom lit up a room until the end.”
“We are extremely grateful to Eve for generously giving her time and talents to the ‘When Everything Changes, an Arts4ALS event,” said Wendy Abrams, executive director of the Les Turner ALS Foundation. “Funds raised through family and community events are critical to our organization and we are honored to be the beneficiary of such a wonderful effort.”
About ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neuron disease (MND), causes motor neurons to gradually stop working and die. The result is loss of nearly all voluntary movement, and other muscle functions such as speaking, swallowing, and—eventually—breathing. In the U.S., someone is diagnosed every 90 minutes, and approximately 35,000 people are living with ALS at any given time. Though average lifespan is three to five years from diagnosis, ALS progresses at different rates in each individual. An estimated 10 percent of all cases are inherited forms known as “familial ALS,” and a faulty protein pathway is known to play a role in all types of ALS. There is no cure for ALS, though treatment of the symptoms often improves quality of life.
About the Les Turner ALS Foundation
Since 1977, the Les Turner ALS Foundation has been a leader in research, patient care, and education about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and other motor neuron diseases (MND). The Foundation serves more than 90 percent of the ALS population in the Chicago area and is affiliated with Northwestern Medicine where it supports two world-class research laboratories and a multidisciplinary clinical program. The Les Turner ALS Foundation is a founding member of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.
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