Susan Keldani won’t slow down. At the age of 60, she’s a prolific fundraiser for ALS care and research, the mother of college-age triplets, and the owner of a busy intermodal trucking company. Managing a business alongside the ever-present complexities of ALS is no small task.
“Technology allows me to work from home, but I still go into my office twice a week,” she says. “I like to keep a routine.”
As ALS takes her voice away, she’s learning the ins and outs of text-to-voice software and adapting to the quirks of her Tobii speech-generating device. She credits Rochelle Walwer, her support services coordinator at the Les Turner ALS Foundation, for help with navigating the stark realities of ALS. Rochelle provides emotional support, information, and connection to critical resources.
“Les Turner’s website has all the information you could need to educate yourself,” says Susan. “They also have lots of live classes where you can ask presenters questions, all kinds of topics related to ALS. They will supply support for anyone in your family that needs it.”
Together with her husband Ziad and their sons Justin, Robert, and Jordan, Susan raised over $11,000 for the 2023 Les Turner ALS Walk for Life. She also serves as a volunteer reviewer for the Foundation’s educational materials and participates in clinical trials at the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine.
Everyone in the Keldani family appreciates the support they’re receiving from Rochelle and the Les Turner ALS Foundation.
“The best way the Foundation has supported our family is the personalization of the care they give us,” says her son Robert. “They treat us like we’re part of their family. They let us know that they actually care about us. That’s the biggest thing that I’ve noticed.”
By attending the Hope Through Caring Gala, you’re making it possible to provide that personalized care and support to families like theirs.
