An Upper Gwynedd woman is turning her personal battle with ALS into a mission to improve emergency response care, writes Matteo Iadonisi for 6ABC Action News.
After being diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Wendy Hendrickson quickly recognized a major issue facing patients during medical emergencies. Many first responders are unfamiliar with the unique complications associated with neuromuscular diseases.
That realization led to the creation of Wendy’s Wish 911, a developing initiative focused on educating both emergency personnel and ALS patients about how to better navigate life-threatening situations.
The program works with the ALS Hope Foundation, Temple Health, the Griffin Gives Foundation, and the Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department.
One of the key concerns involves breathing complications experienced by ALS patients. Medical experts involved with the initiative say certain common emergency responses can actually worsen conditions for people with advanced neuromuscular disorders. These include laying patients flat or immediately administering oxygen,
Program leaders say the initiative will continue expanding its educational materials and training guidelines while seeking additional partnerships across the healthcare and emergency response communities.
Hendrickson hopes the effort will ultimately close a dangerous knowledge gap and improve outcomes for ALS patients during emergency situations throughout Montgomery County and beyond.
To learn more about Wendy’s Wish 911 and the movement to educate first responders about ALS, visit 6ABC.
