My ALS Challenge

By Andrew Dundas

ALS is a terminal disease with no cure and few treatment options. I was diagnosed with ALS in December 2022. So, what do you do when given a truckload of lemons? Why, you make lemonade, of course!

I have created this blog for two reasons:
1. To share my ALS journey and help bring greater awareness to this disease, and
2. Share my fundraising campaign, called the ALS Virtual Mobility Challenge, in support of ALS Canada. Starting on December 1, 2023, I will start a year-long virtual cycling challenge across Canada from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, NFLD – a total of approximately 7,500km.

To learn more about my Virtual Mobility challenge, and view my ‘route’ and progress, click on ‘Mobility Ride’ at the top of the page or click here.

I look forward to sharing my story with you, and enjoy the ride!

Latest posts

  • Help Complete my Cross-Canada Journey for ALS Awareness

    Help Complete my Cross-Canada Journey for ALS Awareness

    I started my virtual ride across Canada in December 2023 to support ALS Canada and raise awareness about ALS. Earlier this year, in April, I had to pause my virtual ride across Canada due to my physical decline. At the time, I had completed 3,740 km or 50%.  In June, I gave a talk about Read more

  • A Reminder to keep making Lemonade

    A Reminder to keep making Lemonade

    It has been a while since my last post. I was finding that since I reached my second anniversary of diagnosis last December that finding topics which are not overly negative or sounding angry were more difficult to think of. The last thing I wanted to do is sound like I am complaining when I Read more

  • Navigating Life with ALS: Mobility and Isolation

    Navigating Life with ALS: Mobility and Isolation

    The last several months have been challenging. December 7, 2024 marked my two year anniversary confirming my ALS diagnosis. I knew it was coming, but when it actually came, the reality of it hit home. I was now entering that dreaded 2-5 year window that 80% of ALS patients do not survive beyond. Reality hits Read more

  • Hit Me with your Best Shot

    Hit Me with your Best Shot

    On December 7, 2022, I was diagnosed with ALS and decided to embrace the challenge instead of hiding from it. I began a virtual bike ride across Canada to raise awareness and funds for ALS research. Despite facing significant physical and mental obstacles, I remain determined to continue my journey and inspire others. Read more

  • I Like to Think of it as Being Wheelchair-Enabled!

    I Like to Think of it as Being Wheelchair-Enabled!

    Living with ALS presents daily challenges, particularly in mobility. Transitioning to a lightweight power wheelchair gave me improved independence and mobility during a trip to Boston. I like to consider myself being “wheelchair-enabled” instead of “wheelchair-bound”. Read more

  • The Continuing Challenges of ALS

    The Continuing Challenges of ALS

    Lately, I’ve had a few people asked me how I was doing. I have been asked if I was feeling better and if things were improving. I admit that I am still a bit surprised to be asked these questions. I think what it does indicate is how little is still known about ALS by Read more

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe.

ALS is not contagious. There is no cure for ALS and few treatment options for the majority of people living with the disease. Approximately 80 per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of being diagnosed.