We hope this first half of the year has been full of fun, travels, and spending time with those you love! Our mission is to provide the technology and equipment you need to feel empowered, no matter how that looks to you. 

We'd love to learn more about the unique stories of our community - weather it's utilizing your portable power wheelchair to travel to another state, spend meaningful time with loved ones, or continuing to work? Have you utilized your banked voice and communication device to attend an online hobby group, give a lecture or speak at an event, or read bedtime stories to your grandkids?

We want to highlight the ways assistive technology has helped you shine! Please feel free to share your story by emailing Kacie.Banegas@teamgleason.org. Make sure you attach photos and videos, too!

Last Chance!! Team Gleason is recruiting individuals with ALS and PLS to help speech recognition tools understand diverse voices.

"I am truly honored to have participated in the Speech Accessibility Project with Team Gleason. It took minimal time to participate for the amazing opportunities for ALS Warriors that this project will assist in updating software to adapt to our voices that are affected by ALS. The forward thinking of Team Gleason and their passion for seeking out and participating in projects that will better the lives of those of us living with ALS is unmeasurable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to invite me to participate in a project that will not only help me, but every Warrior living with ALS. Our lives are so much better with Team Gleason in our corner! Their motto No white flags is not just words, it's their culture!" - Wendy H.

You can be a part of this critical research by sharing your voice with the Speech Accessibility Project!

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will safeguard your personal information as a part of this project funded by Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft.

Record your speech from the comfort of your home. Mentors from Team Gleason are ready to help you through the participation process.

Participants living with ALS or PLS can earn up to $180.

Caregivers can earn up to $90 as well.

Team Gleason and Synchron are proud to announce the renewal and expansion of our partnership, which started in 2022. United by a shared mission, we remain committed to improving the quality of life for individuals living with ALS through meaningful collaboration, community engagement, and transformative innovation. 

Synchron is developing a brain-computer interface* (BCI) designed to enable people with motor impairment to control digital devices by translating thought into action. The system is implanted through a minimally invasive procedure (not open-brain surgery) and is being evaluated for its impact on independence, autonomy, and privacy. 

As research continues, both organizations remain committed to ensuring the ALS community plays a central role in shaping the future of this technology—through insights, feedback, and direct participation. 

Get Involved. Stay Informed. Shape the Future. 

Join the Synchron BCI Community—a growing network of pALS, cALS, caregivers, and clinicians collaborating to influence the next generation of assistive technology. 

As a member, you will:

Join the Synchron BCI Community at Synchronbci.com

*Note: The Synchron BCI system is an investigational device and is not approved for commercial use. Participation in the community does not imply eligibility for trials or guarantee future access to the technology. All research is conducted under appropriate regulatory oversight. 

The National ALS Registry is a crucial initiative designed to empower individuals living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to actively participate in groundbreaking ALS research.

Together, we can turn today’s research into tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

Join the National ALS Registry and be a driving force in the quest for a world without ALS.

On July 16, members of the ALS community who live in the Greater New Orleans and surrounding areas were warmly welcomed to the Team Gleason office for our Summer Luncheon! The day was filled with bingo, laughter, shared memories, and a strong sense of community.

If you live within driving distance of New Orleans and are interested in attending future events, please reach out to Kelly@teamgleason.org! If you aren't local, please see the blurb further down that lists our virtual group gatherings!

Our next Team Gleason Presents is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th at 1 o’clock CST, presented by David Michael Brandman, M.D., Ph.D on iBCI. 

If you are interested in attending this virtual speaker series, please email kelly@teamgleason.org for more information.

Team Gleason helped John and his wife go on a long-awaited adventure to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk — a trip inspired by John’s love for The Lost Boys. 

The couple rode a few rides, explored the beach, went on a tree tour, and spent time just wandering.

"Our favorite part of the Adventure was hanging out on the Boardwalk and tying in all the pieces from the movie and just being together. Such a cool experience.

Being able to view the boardwalk and the beach and just breathe is what we needed."

In October 2023, Máximo was diagnosed with ALS.

Within months, he lost much of his mobility. The dream he once shared with his wife—visiting Utah’s national parks—seemed out of reach.

“Just when we thought that dream had been left behind, Team Gleason stepped in. They not only offered us financial support, but something even more valuable: they encouraged us to believe that—even with limitations—it was still possible to live something extraordinary. We began to dream again.”

Have you seen our Wheelchair Guide powered by Numotion?

The Team Gleason Power Wheelchair Guide is focused on providing individuals living with ALS the information needed to feel empowered to advocate for themselves during the wheelchair evaluation and beyond.

This guide will help an individual find the wheelchair that fits their unique needs and desires.

Join our next Team Gleason Virtual Zoom Gathering for both those living with ALS and their caregivers. 

Healing Hearts - the first Monday of every month from 1 to 2 pm, CST.

Coast to Coast - the first Thursday of every month from 12 to 1 pm, CST. This gathering is primarily for pALS (persons living with ALS) but often their spouse will join and certainly is welcome to join.

Young Adults - the first Monday of every month from 7 to 8 pm, CST. This gathering is for adult children whose parent is living with ALS.  

Caregivers - the second Thursday of every month from 1 to 2 pm, CST. This gathering is especially for our caregivers, as the name would indicate.

Louisiana ALS - Every Friday from 11 am to 12 pm, CST.

Members living in Louisiana and Mississippi can also email Kelly Viator for information on a weekly meeting group and a bi-monthly meeting group.

We hope you can join us! If you would like to be invited to participate in any of these gatherings, please email kelly@teamgleason.org.

Did you know? Portable power wheelchairs, Zoom recorders, and more are managed through Team Gleason's loaner closet! Once you are no longer in need of your Team Gleason equipment, we encourage you to ship it back to Team Gleason so we can repurpose it for another family.

Returning is easy! If we are able to accept the return or donation, Team Gleason will email you prepaid shipping labels for the boxes. This allows us to continue to provide independence and empower the community!

Save your box! Now accepting portable power wheelchair returns. Keeping the box that it is shipped in ensures a quick and cost-effective method of return when needed.

To return or donate equipment please contact returns@teamgleason.org so we can best assist with the logistics of the return or donation.

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