Hi, my name is Chad Beierle.
My story started 51 years ago as I grew up in the mountains of Montana. My family did everything outdoors - hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and anything else that you could think of.
Fast forward to ten years ago. I started having slurred speech and walking with a slight limp. It took doctors from Missoula and Seattle about a year and a half to diagnose me with PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis), a form of ALS (a.k.a., Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The doctors said that over time I would eventually lose the function in my extremities but should live a full life expectancy if the disease doesn’t turn into ALS.
My first thought was “that wasn't going to happen to me. I can beat it.” I did as much as my body would allow me. As the disease progressed I found other ways to do things. With the help of friends and family, I rigged up a recumbent bike from which I could hunt and enjoy the outdoors.
I’ve fought hard for a normal life, but PLS has other ideas. It is now extremely hard for me to maneuver my bike unless I’m on paved roads, and I'm dependent on a walker or scooter.
That's where my dream comes in. I’m asking for help from friends, family and anyone who is generous enough to help me purchase a tank track wheelchair from Action TrackChair. They aren’t cheap, but we have located a used TrackChair from a factory distributor for $10,000. This chair meets my needs and would give me the freedom I once enjoyed. I could hunt and fish the rivers and streams again, get back into the woods with my kids and grandkids, as well as go on long mountain hikes with my new wife, Sherri – something we've never been able to do.
I'm not the type to ask for handouts because I've always believed that you work hard for what you have, but I can no longer put in the hard work. If you have it in your heart to help me fulfill this dream I would be forever grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Chad
My story started 51 years ago as I grew up in the mountains of Montana. My family did everything outdoors - hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and anything else that you could think of.
Fast forward to ten years ago. I started having slurred speech and walking with a slight limp. It took doctors from Missoula and Seattle about a year and a half to diagnose me with PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis), a form of ALS (a.k.a., Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The doctors said that over time I would eventually lose the function in my extremities but should live a full life expectancy if the disease doesn’t turn into ALS.
My first thought was “that wasn't going to happen to me. I can beat it.” I did as much as my body would allow me. As the disease progressed I found other ways to do things. With the help of friends and family, I rigged up a recumbent bike from which I could hunt and enjoy the outdoors.
I’ve fought hard for a normal life, but PLS has other ideas. It is now extremely hard for me to maneuver my bike unless I’m on paved roads, and I'm dependent on a walker or scooter.
That's where my dream comes in. I’m asking for help from friends, family and anyone who is generous enough to help me purchase a tank track wheelchair from Action TrackChair. They aren’t cheap, but we have located a used TrackChair from a factory distributor for $10,000. This chair meets my needs and would give me the freedom I once enjoyed. I could hunt and fish the rivers and streams again, get back into the woods with my kids and grandkids, as well as go on long mountain hikes with my new wife, Sherri – something we've never been able to do.
I'm not the type to ask for handouts because I've always believed that you work hard for what you have, but I can no longer put in the hard work. If you have it in your heart to help me fulfill this dream I would be forever grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Chad
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