For nearly 15 years, the heat, rhythm, and camaraderie of Chicago’s kitchens shaped Kate Milashus’s world. After putting herself through culinary school at 28 and landing her first chef position at 30, she found a home among pastry bags, ovens, …
Faces of ALS: A wedding speech, in her own voice
When Monica O’Callaghan was diagnosed with ALS in 2022, her daughters Natalie and Mary knew their lives were about to change. But they also knew one thing for sure: they wouldn’t let ALS define what came next. “Neither of us …
Faces of ALS: Trevor Storm, Running for a Reason
Trevor Storm is no stranger to the fragility of life. As a hospice nurse from Shelbyville, Illinois, a small town of fewer than 5,000 people, he has spent his career helping families navigate their most vulnerable moments. But it wasn’t …
Faces of ALS: Jim Halstead, A life of joyful fidelity
At 76 years old, Jim Halstead can no longer move between the lecture halls of DePaul University or preside at Sunday mass like he once did. But his days are still rich with meaning, reflection, and connection—albeit quieter and more …
Leaning on Family, Faith, and Community
For Satrina Bryant-Higgins, family is everything. Her three children and three grandchildren are the center of her world. “We are all we have, and we have a great relationship,” she says. “Whenever I see my grandbabies, it brightens my whole …
Never back down, never give up: Ken Trent
For Ken Trent and his family, those six words—never back down, never give up—have become their motto. His youngest daughter first said them, and now they guide the Trent family through each day. “ALS takes away your independence,” says Ken. …
When lives are on the line
Bryan Szymczak has always run toward danger. For 26 years, he fought fires in cities across Illinois, until an ALS diagnosis forced him into early retirement. It began with a weakness in his right thumb, which he chalked up to …
Faces of ALS: A Veteran Nurse’s Journey of Service and Strength
Connie Daniels has dedicated much of her life to caring for others. Born at St. Luke’s Hospital in 1946, she grew up on the South Side of Chicago. The oldest girl in a family of six, Connie always wanted to …
Up to the Challenge: The Hernandez Family
Caring makes the difference. For Mario Hernandez, it starts with his daughters Jenny and Emily. “My daughters are two angels that God gave me, to support me in this moment of what I’m going through right now,” says Mario. “I …
