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February 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Marie Mullins-Bishop

For Marie Mullins-Bishop, the letters ALS represent Always Love Someone. That someone is her husband, David.

In 2017, David Bishop started to develop a very monotone voice with deep baritone sounds. Marie and David thought it must be something wrong with his throat. They got some treatment to help his throat but, instead of getting better, David seemed to have a cold and cough that he could not kick.

The symptoms continued with no remedy in sight, so Marie and David sought more medical specialists. David had a chest x-ray to rule out problems with his lungs, throat, or stomach, and the tests came back negative. They also went to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor and the ENT ruled out any throat-specific issues. Finally, in a last-ditch effort, they had an MRI of David’s brain. The test showed abnormal results, which led them to see a neurologist.

In January 2019, nearly two years after his complications began, David Bishop received an official diagnosis of ALS.

As a long-time sports fan and New York Yankees fan, David knew about ALS through the stories of Lou Gehrig. Neither David nor Marie had much personal experience with the disease. Marie was ready to be by his side through every challenge, but she also knew that they would need help and guidance. That is when they connected to the team at ALS United Mid-Atlantic.

“Although I am not the one diagnosed with the disease, daily it still impacts both our lives,” said Marie. “I will not let ALS steal the love we have for each other and are able to make each day memorable.”

The care team at ALS United Mid-Atlantic showed Marie and David that they were not alone. Social worker Jayne Etskovitz, MSW, LSW, introduced Marie to the local support groups. Very quickly, ALS United Mid-Atlantic became part of Marie and David’s extended family.

As part of the monthly Caregiver Group, Marie is able to share, cry, and laugh with others who are experiencing the realities of ALS. She also credits Director of Care Services Steve Spaulding, MA, for welcoming them to many events and making sure that they and all patients and caregivers are comfortable and valued.

Marie loves being part of the support groups and has always looked to do more to connect with caregivers and to help the ALS mission. She thanked Special Events Manager Carla Patton for not only inviting her to attend events, but to be an active participant in any way that she can.

Since ALS officially entered their lives in 2019, Marie and David have been active participants in many ALS United Mid-Atlantic events, including:

  • Lou Gehrig Day and ALS Awareness Games with the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Caregivers Day
  • The Annual Celebration
  • ALS Patient and Family Day at Longwood Gardens
  • The Jersey Shore ALS United Ride and Family Day at Morey’s Piers
  • The ALS United Mid-Atlantic Holiday Party

That feeling of connection and empowerment inspired Marie to encourage other ALS caregivers as well. She started a regular email to any and all ALS caregivers who were interested in sharing inspirational quotes and to grow a loving community.

At the end of 2024, Marie made a plan to expand her outreach with an additional monthly email that is for caregivers and by caregivers. While ALS United Mid-Atlantic proudly cares for over 1,200 people with ALS every year, there are thousands of caregivers who are also part of that care community and Marie’s warmth and compassion help them when times are difficult.

From her experience caring for David and from seeing so many stories up close, Marie has a personal drive to make sure others do not experience burn out and, most importantly, to let them know that “it’s OK to not be OK!” Marie knows that her health is important to David’s health and well-being, and it is a lesson she passes on to all who are facing ALS.

In 2024, Marie spoke at the ALS United Mid-Atlantic Annual Celebration. The event honored the Philadelphia Phillies for their incredible 40-year commitment to Strike Out ALS. Marie, with David by her side, spoke about the impact that the Phillies fundraising and awareness has had to improve the care programs that families like hers depend on every single day. While Marie still admits that she was very nervous speaking to the crowd, it was a highlight of the event as it demonstrated the real impact that the Phillies have had on improving the lives of people with ALS and their families.

Marie was joined on stage by Steve Spaulding and by ALS United Mid-Atlantic nurse Gail Houseman, RN, MSN-APRN. Gail has helped Marie and David acquire the medical equipment they need as David’s symptoms progress.

In her speech, Marie used the letters ALS to spell out different meaningful statements. In addition to “Always Love Someone,” Marie said that ALS stands for “A Little Setback.” She said it to stress the daily challenges of ALS. Marie uses her power of empathy to help other caregivers get through those “little setbacks” and to ease them through those difficult times so that those setbacks don’t hold them back for long. At a time when people don’t know if anyone understands, Marie is always ready to offer them comfort and a little boost in confidence.

“I do the best I can and accept whatever my husband David wants or doesn’t want,” said Marie. “In the process, I remember me and how important I am that I am OK. We are much stronger than we know as Caregivers because we have to be.”

Thank you, Marie, for showing us all how to be stronger through your love for David, your joy for life, and your willingness to be honest and vulnerable. Your impact on ALS caregivers is impossible to measure and you are truly an example of the heart of our mission at ALS United Mid-Atlantic.

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