Sally Roe

Meet Sally, a former educator, wife, and mother who has defied the typical two-to-five-year prognosis since her bulbar-onset ALS diagnosis in May 2021. Though the aggressive disease has taken her speech and the use of her hands, Sally manages her reality from a recliner with the help of a dedicated family, an eye-gaze communicator, and a custom laminated letter board for when technology fails. She remains a relentless problem-solver, whether it's using an immersion blender to puree her food or sourcing specialized mobility equipment from New Zealand that isn't readily available in the U.S.. Sally finds deep joy in her daily life, often sharing hours-long laughing fits with her children and grandchildren, and she remains anchored by her faith and a belief in the possibility of recovery. She advises those newly diagnosed to voice bank early, pursue their bucket lists, and surround themselves with loved ones. To those outside the community, she offers a poignant request: be patient with response times, acknowledge the difficulty of watching life pass from behind a screen, and recognize that the vibrant person inside remains entirely unchanged.