*** From: Fran F.,  Santa Barbara, CA ***

Hi, Craig.

I use Allegro Medical regularly. I appreciate your great prices, wonderful inventory, and good customer service.   I would be happy to give you a personal story.

I became aware of your site when looking for medical supplies about 4 years ago, after my then 53 year old husband Hal was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. Since then, as Hal's needs have progressed, we've come to depend on Allegro Medical more and more. Allegro carries so many different types of supplies - all at really good prices. In addition, we live in Santa Barbara, CA, a relatively small city, and choices here are limited. Plus, it is very difficult now for me to leave Hal, so shopping online is a great resource.

We are lucky to be able to have Hal living at home, and intend to keep him here as long as possible. He is very involved now, and is almost entirely paralyzed. I  have had to stop working, and am his full time caregiver, with the help of our adult son. Hal gets his nutrition and water through a feeding tube, and we bath him in a combination commode/shower chair. He had a tracheostomy in 2011, and uses a ventilator. He sleeps in a hospital bed and spends his days in a wheelchair. But he is still a happy guy. Unlike his body, Hal's mind is intact, and very active.  He communicates and surfs the internet via a computer with an infra-red camera to track his eye movement.

I get pretty much all of our non-Medicare covered supplies through Allegro.. Gauze, barrier creme and other things to preserve skin integrity, special needs bowel and toileting supplies, oral hygiene supplies, liquid acetaminophen, support pillows, the list goes on and on. I really like the no-rinse shampoo - light scent, works great. Also the Dynarex non-woven sponges,various sizes - they are soft, absorbent, and very gentle on the skin.

[caption id="attachment_2630" align="alignnone" width="300"]At home with my mother (who was visiting), our son Jason, and our dog. At home with my mother (who was visiting), our son Jason, and our dog.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2631" align="alignnone" width="247"]Hal and Fran Hal and Fran[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2632" align="alignnone" width="300"]At the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens At the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2633" align="alignnone" width="300"]Hal in bed. Our daughter, Erin, on the right, was visiting. Hal in bed. Our daughter, Erin, on the right, was visiting.[/caption]

 

Thanks Fran & Hal for sharing your story with the Allegro Community! Your story about life and the struggles with ALS hits home with many Allegro customers. It's great that you are able to care for Hal at home and we are glad we are here to help in our small way. I added links to the products that you have found helpful in treating Hal's ALS condition so others might also benefit from your knowledge.

If you would like to share your story email me at [email protected]