Ride to increase ALS awareness

POST FALLS - Lou Gehrig's Disease attacked Larry Ackerman's hands first.

"Imagine your hands don't work and soon your arms don't work and anything and everything you do, you have to adapt slowly," said his wife, Jacki.

What were once simple tasks have become increasingly challenging in the four years since Larry Ackerman was diagnosed with the neuromuscular disease, also known as ALS.

He can no longer sign his name on his own or lift a glass to his mouth to drink.

"In our particular case, we've been lucky enough to not really need assistance that our friends couldn't provide to us," Jacki Ackerman said. That isn't the case for everyone, though.

Jacki Ackerman and the Post Falls American Legion's 'Legion Riders' are joining forces Saturday to increase awareness of ALS and raise money for the ALS Service Organization which helps locals with ALS with needs not covered by insurance.

The ALSSO does everything from widening doorways and remodeling bathrooms to providing equipment and support to ALS sufferers and their families.

Saturday's event, Take a Putt for pALS (persons of ALS), includes a motorcycle ride, barbecue rib dinner and live music.

Registration for the ride begins at 9:30 at the Post Falls American Legion, 1138 E Poleline Ave., with "kickstands up" at 11 a.m. The ride begins at the Legion and continues to Wolf Lodge to Harrison, Rose Lake and then back. The cost is $10. Ride T-shirts will also be sold for $15 each.

The rib feed - prepared by Bo Diddley's Traveling BBQ - begins at 3 p.m., or as soon as the riders return. The cost per meal, which includes picnic salads, is $10.

Jacki Ackerman said she teamed with the Legion Riders for the event because veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS, which has no known cause or cure.

Several organizations will attend the event and share ALS information and resources.

For more information, contact Jacki Ackerman at (208) 964-3357 or visit the Take a Putt for pALS event page on Facebook.