Comments on: PAM CALLAHAN

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:23:13 +0000

Pam is one of the most amazing people ever! I have been doing Carnival for Pals! I plan to do it this year to with my friend! Pam is a great person who is my moms great friend! “she is one of the funniest people still with all that going on she is still the same person” I love her very much!

By: waterrose

waterrose — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:24:16 +0000

I came across your website and this story and was so touched. My husband died of ALS in early 2003. I will never forget the day that the diagnosis crossed the doctors lips. After he said that, he said, “it’s always the good people who I have to give this news to.” This disease needs a cure. It is such a cruel way to end life. My husband and all of those with this death sentence disease are brave, strong, wonderful people.

My husband would have been thrilled if that communication device would have been available during his battle. We created a hat with a small presentation pointer and he pointed to letters on a sheet of paper to spell out words/sentences. We became very good at predictive word analysis.

I would love to see this performance, but will not be able to unless it comes to Phoenix. Thank you for spreading the word and helping people understand. Tuesday’s with Morrie was a good beginning, but continued mainstream productions, commercials, information will help people understand that research into stem cells and other avenues is absolutely necessary. It only seems that this disease is increasing in our population and I can think of no other way that people will begin to understand.

Please keep up this good work and help us defeat this.

Hugs

By: Najwa Bahsoun

Najwa Bahsoun — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:02:12 +0000

Dear Jane,
I drove away one cold and gloomy winter afternoon, after meeting with Pam at her home for the first time. I was taken by her ability to initiate a conversation and take part in it.. more so, she asked to hear my story first..I was also touched by her care and effort taken to comment on a shawl I had thrown on my shoulders, admiring its uniqueness.. all of which reveal her inner beauty, her graciousness…Let us not forget she is litterally speechless but her voice reverberates beyond the confining walls of human ears. I called my dearest friend and related the extraordinary encounter I had just experienced and he suggested to write her story and entitle the book “with the blink of an eye”… After reading about you and your encounter with Pam, and in search of the perfect person to represent those who succomb to such devastating illnesses, a woman whose voice and actions reach out beyond the walls of a theater, I felt compelled to ask you, Jane Fonda, to give a serious thought in carrying Pam’s voice further and louder… not only to find a cure to an illness but also reach out those who chose to take the road less travelled regardless of the obstacles awaiting them… I sincerely hope you will hear the urge in taking on that new challenge, but know you will be backed by a powerfull team of women focused on making a difference in this world.
fondly,
Najwa Bahsoun

PS: tried to send you this message to your direct e-mail but wasn’t sure it went through. Therefore, not taking a chance, I didn’t think you’d mind me having 2 different entries:)

By: lorraine balaker

lorraine balaker — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:21:26 +0000

ms. jane fonda;

thank you, thank you – from my heart. you have touched my family and i so much – you have created for us ‘als’ sufferers your voice so we can describe how desperately we need the public to know how destructive and invasive ‘als’ is. it is a nitemare, a living hell on earth -claiming your voice, swallowing, arms, legs, hands so you are stripped of independence.

i am typing with the only finger i have left -since my diagnosis i have put together literature for those who say, ‘i heard of it, but am not familiar with it’. i have written letters asking for tv commercials – was told it is policy not to pay for tv commercials.

research is not providing results, ‘als’ has been around since 1869 – then in 1941 after lou gehrig’s death. we are dying a tormenting death – no cure, no medicine and no doctors as ‘als’ is still a mystery.

‘als’ is five times higher than huntingtons disease and equal to multiple sclerosis. what it boils down to is money, not enough of us to warrant the rearch we need.

ms. fonda would you consider helping us get the exposure we desperately need. your brain, your voice along with your beauty would make a difference to those who are struggling with this destructive disease.

i ask everyone i write – how many more must die to get us the attention for more research.

pam is very brave – you have given us a spark to fight harder – no one can ever know how we feel – you now have some idea after your play.

please know your input will be appreciated.

lorraine balaker

By: Alec

Alec — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:15:46 +0000

I am fortunate enough to know Pam. She is one of the most intelligent, persistent, and competent people I know. I have had the benefit of working with her as a technical support representative with the company that makes that device that she uses to communicate. She used to email me more regularly, but now it seems like she is getting exhausted more often and unfortunately I do not get to hear from her as much. I have worked for this company almost a year now and have gotten to know and care about a few of the ALS patients that I have been in contact with. Unfortunately many people I have met with ALS when I first started with this company last year are not doing too well right now and I do feel it in my heart. Of course I wish everyone with ALS the best and pray for more help for you to come soon. I am just glad I was able to be a part of Pam’s life and hopefully made it a bit easier. I will never forget how she told me her children come up in bed with her and she uses her communication device to help them with their homework. Pam will not let her ALS stop her and having communicated with many ALS patients, I really commend her for that. She is one heck of a woman!

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:46:45 +0000

The ALS community needs a voice! Won’t you consider becoming an advocate for this miserable disease. To watch someone you love deteriorate daily is the most heart wrenching thing in the world. The number of people who have no idea what ALS is is mind boggling. I read that Angel Lansbury did a public service announcement for ALS, but not once did I see it aired on TV. Wouldn’t it be great if you yourself could do one, and make sure it gets regular airtime. Maybe even use Pam in it. I know she would agree to it. Anything you can do would be appreciated beyond words.

By: Margarida

Margarida — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:37:32 +0000

This was such a moving story. Thank you, Jane and Pam.

By: Bonnie J Preston

Bonnie J Preston — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:51:37 +0000

Jane, thank you for this post. What an inspiration Pam is. With gratitude, Bonnie

By: Rachael

Rachael — Mon, 04 May 2009 07:35:49 +0000

Thank you.
I am 39 and have had ALS for 4 years. I am a mom and intend, for the reasons Pam quotes, to vent before I become too weak. At this crossroad, I welcome the debate your character provokes but more laterally, I thank you, with all my heart, for giving us ‘a stage’ and publicizing the need for the cure we so badly need.
Rachael

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:45:03 +0000

Jane,
Thank you for posting Pam’s story. I am a CALS. My wife, Heidi was diagnosed two years ago and has since lost almost all of her strength. We have three daughters, the oldest being 11 and they are her inspriation to go on in the face of this disaster for our family. Pam is so obviously so strong, is showing that to her boys and setting a powerful example for them.
My blog linked above deals with our journey through diagnosis, treatment searches, spiritual issues and of course, caregiver issues. It is my voice, but much of it is inspired by my wife, who’s brilliance shines just as bright as it ever did, though she can not move. Very much as I can see Pam’s doing the same. God bless all of you out there dealing with this, my heart aches with you every day, but we have to keep fighting for a cure.
Peace,
Bill