From Scott F. Pryce - re: Chris Lotspeich
Chris was diagnosed with ALS ten years ago, and, since then, his family has been navigating the increasing challenges of this devastating disease with amazing grace. Like Stephen Hawkings, Chris’ brilliant mind and personality continue to shine despite his bodily decline.
I've seen firsthand his family’s resilience and teamwork in caring for him while maintaining as much independence and normalcy as possible for their family. This year has brought particularly significant expenses related to his care, safety, and mobility, which added to the cumulative financial burden of the disease.
Upon learning about this, many ask how they can help. I’ve urged his family to create a vehicle for that help. A fundraiser through Hark now offers a way for friends, colleagues, and their broader community to ease some of his family’s financial burden.
Chris shares more in his personal note below. I hope you’ll consider contributing if you're able. Whether or not you can give, thank you for supporting this family.
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/hark-als/help-chris-battle-als
Personal Note from Chris
In 2016, I was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive, ultimately fatal neurological disease with no known cure. I've been extraordinarily fortunate to experience much slower progression than most, and I'm grateful to be among the approximately 12% who survive a decade or more.
At the same time, ALS has continued to take its toll. I now use a power wheelchair full-time, I’m fed via a feeding tube, I use a ventilator most of the time, and I depend on essentially around-the-clock assistance from professional caregivers and my family.
2026 has been an especially expensive year as we've adapted to my changing needs: renovating a first-floor room to make it accessible, installing a whole-house generator to keep essential medical equipment running during outages, and purchasing a wheelchair-accessible van so I can participate more fully in everyday family life, and travel efficiently to medical appointments. Together with ongoing caregiving costs, these investments have created a substantial financial burden.
Asking for help doesn't come easily. But friends, family, and colleagues have often asked what they can do, and the reality is that there isn't always much anyone can do about the day-to-day challenges of ALS, especially from a distance. Helping ease the financial burden is one tangible way to make a difference. That's why we've established this fundraiser through Hark.
Despite everything ALS has taken from me, I still feel incredibly fortunate. Like Lou Gehrig, who called himself 'the luckiest man on the face of the earth,' I have a wonderful marriage, two amazing daughters, supportive family and friends, and memories of a life full of meaningful work, travel, and adventure. I've always had a rich inner life, and that richness serves me well even as my physical world grows smaller and more difficult.
Whether you're able to contribute or simply keep our family in your thoughts, please know how much your friendship and support mean to us.
With heartfelt thanks,
Chris Lotspeich
chrislot@earthlink.net
Donation Details
Donate online: Donate Now | Hark-ALS
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/hark-als/help-chris-battle-als
By check: Payable to Hark; mail to Hark, 5 Pirozzi Lane, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Include 'Chris L' in the memo line.
Donor-advised fund: Include 'In Honor of Chris Lotspeich' in the accompanying letter.
Employer matching: Hark EIN 45-2768674.
About Hark: www.hark-als.org
