Volunteers serve as Extra Hands for those with ALS

Copyright 2008 Idaho Statesman

The Valley chapter assists sufferers and their families and works to bring attention to the disease.

Jeannine Marinier began volunteering with Extra Hands in June as an adult mentor to high school and college students.

"I was looking for something to do volunteer-wise in the community. My grandma passed from ALS. I thought, 'Hey, I know a little bit about that' and thought it would be a good way to give something back," Marinier said.

Marinier's job is to coordinate volunteer sessions between family and students.

"Our responsibility is to go out there a minimum once a month . . . and be the go-between person," Marinier said.

If regular volunteering doesn't fit a specific schedule, Marinier said volunteers can help out once or twice on larger projects, such as repairing a wheelchair ramp.

"You always leave there thinking, 'OK, I've helped out this week.' Knowing that you've brought some joy and helped everybody else," Marinier added. "I've seen what a great help volunteering is with just the little things."
BY KRISTI COFFMAN - kcoffman@idahostatesman.com
Edition Date: 01/24/08

When Boise resident Joe Harris was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease - in 1999, he went to the Internet hoping to find information and support.
Harris learned that as many as 30,000 Americans have ALS, with an estimated 5,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year. He also found that there was relatively little support in the Treasure Valley for those coping with the disease .

Harris decided to do something.

"(ALS) is a terrible terminal disease that takes away everything physically ... (including) the ability to breathe ... and leaves the mind. It takes a tremendous amount of courage for the people suffering the disease and their families to survive each day," he said.

So Harris started the Boise chapter of Extra Hands for ALS, a national voluntary service organization helping people with ALS and their families.

ALS is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, yet it doesn't get enough publicity, Harris says.

"The Boise area didn't have an ALS clinic, the ALSA, or the services that the Extra Hands could provide," he added.

Harris, with the help of his mother, Connie Stauts, his wife, Jill, and several friends, successfully started the Boise chapter of Extra Hands in 2004.

"With bringing in Extra Hands to the Valley, ALS gets the increased publicity that the disease sorely needs," Harris said.

Through the support organization, high school and college students volunteer to help people with ALS and their families by doing chores and running errands, or by providing company for the homebound. Students also organize and participate in public awareness events designed to teach their peers and people in their communities about the disease.

"We strongly believe that people with ALS can teach student volunteers lifelong lessons of compassion, courage and service," Harris said.

Danny Barrett, a recent Boise State University graduate, volunteers weekly with Extra Hands. Unsure of what to expect, he found it to be a selfless job.

"I was most surprised by being comfortable with the family, and knowing that you make a difference at the end of the day for someone else," Barrett said.

Barrett not only volunteers with Extra Hands, but last October put together a team to run the Portland Marathon for Extra Hands for ALS. The team raised $900.

Sara Barsness, assistant program manager for the Boise chapter, said just knowing someone who has ALS has given her a different sense of compassion.

"It helps you to realize no matter what they're going through, that they're still people and they have the same concerns about life. It makes ALS less scary and it stretches you beyond what you thought you can do," Barsness said.

Comments from Joe Harris: Incredible article Kristi, thank you. The MDA has many outstanding and needed programs that benefit people with ALS and their families. Those programs include money for a communication device and a wheelchair, money for health services, a support group, loan closet and now an ALS clinic.