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Partly Cloudy Helping a Five Towns resident fight Lou Gehrig’s disease
Care consumes time and money
Renovations, physical and massage therapy and homecare, are some of the costs related to supporting Cindy Gordon Finkelstein in her battle against amyotrophic laterals sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The Lawrence native, turning 56 this month, was diagnosed with ALS, which affects nerve and muscle function, in December 2015. After struggling with the disease for more than two years, Glenn Harris, a close friend of Cindy’s from summer camp years ago, created a GoFundMe page on Jan. 30 to support her care. “All this support will allow me continue this fight with the fortitude I require,” Finkelstein, a former interior designer, wrote on the page.
“What’s exhausting, besides trying to take care of her, is trying to get services,” her husband Stephen said, “That alone is a fulltime job.” He is a professional musician and manages a cooperative building in Flushing. He said there are ongoing systematic obstacles to obtain medical services, such as Medicaid.
Cindy graduated from Lawrence High School in 1978 and now lives in Woodmere. She and Stephen have two sons, Ross and Ethan. Four to six months from now, Cindy, who was once a competitive tennis player, will receive a custom wheelchair with an elevator feature to allow her to reach cabinets in her home. She is currently in a loaner wheelchair. A first floor master bedroom suite is being built at the Finkelstein home to accommodate Cindy.
“I would give every dime I have, including my life, for her health,” Stephen said. He initially did not want to start a GoFundMe page, but it is a last resort.
Alex Fernandez, who has known Cindy since high school, said that Cindy’s grandfather, mother and aunt all died from ALS. “She’s been dealing with this for a long time,” he said, “even before it physically affected her.” Fernandez, who now lives in Ft. Lauderdale, said he has been a friend of the Finkelsteins for more than 30 years.
“The outpouring of love for her has been tremendous,” Stephen said, adding that he will not give up hope for his wife to overcome this disease. To donate visit the GoFundMe page at http://bit.ly/2oCDzlk.
