Suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: he will cross Canada in his electric wheelchair this fall
A fifty-year-old man who has been suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for three years will undertake a cross-Canada journey in his electric wheelchair this fall to raise funds for research into this incurable disease.
Life expectancy after an ALS diagnosis ranges from three to five years. For Yannick Richard, there's no question of letting statistics guide his life plans.
Despite his paralyzed legs, the man from Prévost will begin his crossing of Canada on September 22.
"With our illness, we become increasingly paralyzed, and it can happen very quickly. Before I can no longer move, I decided to take advantage of the time I have to take on a challenge I'm capable of doing," he emphasizes.
Ambitious projectDuring the 35 days he plans to complete this journey, he plans to raise funds for research, meet other people with ALS and document it all as the basis for a conference project he covets.
This is an ambitious project for someone with ALS. Such a challenge could accelerate Mr. Richard's loss of skills. But he has chosen to view this risk as a source of inspiration.
"What you lose with ALS, you don't get back. Even though it's a riskier challenge for me, I decided to do it anyway. It might not be such a big risk, but I might be just as compromised when I come back. But I tell myself that it takes discomfort to be inspired," he continues.
The illness first manifested itself in Mr. Richard's life three years ago, while he was out for a walk.
"I twisted my ankle. ALS often starts like that. You have muscle weakness in your ankles, hands, or speech," he explains.
Research, a source of hopeIt was treated as if it were a simple sprain. However, over time, muscle strength did not return despite strengthening exercises.
Mr. Richard underwent a battery of tests over a year, including magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasounds.
It was ultimately an electromyogram – a medical test that records the electrical activity of muscles and nerves – that led to his diagnosis of ALS.
This news, of course, comes as a real shock to the family, as Mr. Richard is the father of three children.
Yannik Richard, who has been living with ALS for three years, will be traveling across Canada in his motorized wheelchair to raise funds for research. Pictured here are his partner, Karine Bériau, his son, Noam, and his two daughters, Sofia Rose and Romy. Photo courtesy of Yannik Richard
Today, Mr. Richard is doing well despite everything. For the past 16 months, he has been receiving specific treatment related to the form of ALS he has.
"It works for me. The disease is about 95% stable," he says.
The famous ice bucket challenge has given impetus to research and a range of drugs are under study.
"ALS has been around for 150 years, and there's still no cure," he says. "I did the challenge myself 10 years ago, and I didn't even know it was for ALS."
To support Mr. Richard's campaign: https://www.jedonneenligne.org/slaquebec/don/
An ambitious crossing- Departure: September 22 – Field, British Columbia
- Arrival: October 25 – Prévost, Quebec
- Distance: 4500 km
- Daily distance: 150 km (approximately five hours per day)
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LE Journal de Montreal
