In my body and mind, I have been discombobulated! I have had hard decisions to make in my life living with ALS. God has given me bonus years and kept me busy. I know the research is helping us, ALS patients, live longer and next we pray for a cure. It takes so many people and resources to keep me here. ALS takes a toil on even the best families. This is why I have chosen hospice and moved to a handicapped accessible apartment and started preparation for my spiritual life with God. I am giving my children what I can before I leave, like selling the house that Ken and I built to the one who wanted it. God blessed us with many years of memories and happiness there. Life is truly like a wheel. Think of it like the Ferris Wheel and we each have a turn at the top but we also have to get off and let others have a turn. I feel this in my body, but God keeps providing me with ideas and ways to tell them about the Spiritual journey yet to come. I thank God for Erin Frazier and family for thinking about handicapped accessible apartments that are available for this season of ALS. Most of my care is from my youngest child now. My middle son took care of Ken and me through his twenties. Our oldest son started a family and gave us two beautiful grandchildren ages 6 and 4. He is a hard worker and provider for them like his Dad. They are taking care of being good parents and a family as Ken and I would want. I am so blessed.
One thing that I absolutely love is providing scholarships to the local high school seniors each year by having the Autumn March for ALS every third Saturday of October in downtown Dyersburg, TN 38024. I hope to share the day with vendors and with an Auto Show again. Save the Date OCTOBER 18, 2025 at 9 AM!
This year I did not get to present the scholarships because of my discombobulated ALS life but I want to recognize the winners through my blog and Facebook. Hopefully we will get a picture soon. I was able to attend DCHS Wednesday but didn’t get to present. The Autumn March provided three $1,000 scholarships. The first one was in Honor of Miss. Addison Swims. Like me, she lives with a Motor Neuron disease known as SMA or Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is so similar but the atrophy onset begins decades sooner depending on the Type I, II, III, or IV. Addison’s began very early. I would say Type II. She is a miracle beating the odds with a Super Woman Mom nurse who has fought SMA and kept her daughter here 18 years. This is truly miraculous. Addison is a senior at DCHS this year and just attended the prom. For four years she has advocated at the Autumn March for ALS race and wanted her SMA Awareness Award to go to a future teacher, especially someone who teaches students with special needs. As I sat at the program, I wondered how many students knew or have seen Addison, the beautiful, red-haired girl in the fancy wheelchair with all the machines whirring and beeping like me. The bravest girl who has the biggest heart at DCHS. Addison’s SMA Awareness Award went to Miss. Reagan Ross who will become a speech pathologist and third generation teacher. She showed such a heart for teaching in her essay. Teaching is a vocation of the heart.
The next scholarship given was the “Cookie” Scholarship for $ 1,000 in memory of Mr. Bart Williams. He was a teacher and counselor in both Dyer County systems for 40 years. He had a secret cookie recipe. He shared these with people who were going through tough times like chemotherapy or good times like our Autumn March meetings. He was always in hand with cookies while visiting his Grandchildren. They loved them so much they didn’t call him Poppa or Grand dad but “Cookie.” This is the meaning behind the name. The services he gave our country will reverberate for years. The recipient of this award was Miss. Laney Moore. Her essay showed her heart and desire to become a nurse like a beloved Aunt who fought cancer with God, family, and community and survived to continue to serve others as a nurse in our community.
The Autumn March for ALS “Be the Light “ Scholarship for $ 1,000 was given to Mr. Clark French. Clark and his family have run the Autumn March for ALS race since it began in 2016. They run as a family. It is so beautiful to see families enjoying the race day full of food and healthy fun. Clark is going to run Cross Country for Union University in Jackson, TN while majoring in Sports Medicine and continue to grow his Light for Christ.
At DHS, two awards were given: “Cookie” Scholarship and the Autumn March for ALS “Be the Light” Scholarship. The “Cookie” Scholarship was given to Miss. Alexa MacArthur for $ 1,000. She was fortunate to personally know Mr. Bart Williams as a student. She commented, “I am a better person today and successful because of what he taught me.” His lessons were not just academic but also about virtues and being a better person. He loved to teach writing and write. There is a Bart Williams section of his books at the DIS library.
Last but certainly not least, Miss. Anna Jones received the Autumn March for ALS “Be the Light” Scholarship. Miss. Anna is already making plans to help the least of mankind by starting a non-profit organization to build love and character to unloved children. She has seen the effects of players that have little or no support while being sports manager throughout her school career. I am proud to give you $ 1,000 to begin this journey. I know that your light will drive out darkness. Congratulations everyone.
Please donate to the Autumn March for ALS at First Citizens National Bank or the race site or to Sarah Alley 370 Heathridge Drive Dyersburg TN 38024
Sarah Anderson Alley
Sal the Light loving Gal
showtunessal 
Leave a comment