“It was a punch in the stomach” son describes mom’s ALS diagnosis

"It was, I don't know how to describe the feeling, it was a punch in the stomach before she even told me what it was."

Lisa Early now depends on a motorized wheelchair to get around and even the controls she now struggles with.

But her family is always around her making sure she is alright because Lisa has ALS.

Her loved ones admit it's hard to believe at this time last year she was baking and cooking. This caterer raised 3 kids and a grandson.

It was November 2015.

Lisa's son Donny, remembers, "She couldn't unlock her car key, one day her thumb wouldn't work to unlock her car doors."

That was the first sign, then a series of tests followed. It wasn't until February 18th when doctors finally figured it out.

"I hoped that it was, you know, it was cancer or something we could fight because I knew it was worst case scenario because of the tone in her voice, but I didn't know it was ALS. It's just there's no cure, there's no known cause, nobody knows much about it."

According to the ALS Association, it's a progressive illness that leaves people unable to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe and once diagnosed, the average life expectancy is two to five years.

What's more devastating for the Early family, Lisa's ALS progressed quickly in just one year.

And he sees first hand how devastating it can be.

"I mean it's horrible. I mean it's just I wake up everyday and take things for granted you know I can get up and get out of bed I can sit up in bed. If my eye itches in the middle of the night I can scratch it, I can brush my own teeth, I can breathe comfortably all day."

But the devastation doesn't just stop at Lisa losing her her motor skills, the medical bills are piling up.

Even with health insurance, Donny tells us the expenses are too high. The electric wheelchair Lisa has alone is $20,000.

Through all the anguish, the Early family finds comfort in each other with help from the community too.

"We have a wonderful family and this community has showed so much it's just overwhelming how much the community has come together and how much our family has come together," explains Donny.

Donny, his brother Richie, and sister Lisa couldn't be more proud of their mom's strength.

He says, "She is easily one of the strongest individuals on the planet that I know. The strength it takes for her to get up everyday knowing she's less of a person today than she was yesterday, it's amazing."

To help the Early family with their medical bills, Burley Oak Brewing Company in Berlin hosted a fundraiser.

Lisa's son Donny and his girlfriend started a Go Fund Me page in hopes that folks could help them with their expenses.

The family plans on donating any left over money to the ALS Association to help fund research for a cure.

And on the topic of donating to research, you might remember the ALS ice bucket challenge.

A few years ago, the fundraising effort took the world by storm going viral on social media sites.

Everyone from celebrities to professional sports teams joined in dumping ice cold water on their heads. Even Oprah did the challenge, but instead of the ice bucket, she opted to donate more money.

We even participated here at 47 ABC.

While it raised 115 million in two months alone in 2014, there are still many people who know very little about the condition, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Donny explains," people know about the ALS ice bucket challenge which is good, but they don't know about what it's for. You mention the ALS ice bucket challenge and they nod their heads yes and they know, they recognize it, but you tell somebody you were diagnosed with ALS and it's just a blank stare."

ALS is a rare progressive illness that only about 30,000 Americans have.

There is still no cure and no known cause, which is why Donny Early tells us he's hoping to use his mom's story to raise awareness.