Rusty Rides Run (for Vera Ahlstrom) – AC Fairgrounds Pavilion
Vera is the 5-year-old daughter of Justin & Ashley Ahlstrom of Waukon. Vera was diagnosed with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) in June of 2018 when she was just 6 months old. This is a rare, life-threatening neurological disease affecting approximately 1 in 1 million people. There is currently no cure for AHC.
Vera suffers from many different types of episodes due to AHC. Her most common type of episode is paralysis (hemiplegia) to her left or right side.
The most severe episodes that Vera endures are bouts of full body paralysis and severe dystonia. When in episodes of this type she is unable to eat or drink anything other than a small syringe of water at a time. Anything more and she could aspirate as her esophagus, larynx and trachea do not function correctly. She has had to have IV fluids administered in exceptionally bad cases. She is also unable to do so much as lift her head.
Around half of children with AHC develop epilepsy and unfortunately Vera’s condition now includes epileptic seizures.
The Ahlstrom Family hopes to make a trip to Duke University to see more specialists about possible ways to move forward. The family also travels to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago two times per year to see their main neurologist. There are also many other trips to Stead Family Children’s Hospital in which travel expenses add up very quickly.
Vera is a lot like any other 5-year-old in that she loves to play with her dolls, color & paint and play with her little brother Isaiah. She loves to snuggle and loves her kitties, Bean and Norm. She loved her old yellow lab Lily girl that passed on to heaven in January 2024.
Sadly, Vera’s disease renders her unable to walk without assistance and her vocabulary is limited to a handful of words. Everyday tasks can be very hard to impossible given Vera’s mental and physical disabilities.
No person deserves to live with this heartbreaking disease. We ask for your help to one day put
an end to AHC, all donations help get closer to a cure. Thank you!!!
Accepting donations for Silent Auction or monetary contact Sarah Collins or Kelly Cook
50/50 Drawing Raffles, silent auction items
Free will donation for food available upon return
Route to be determined – Pack a lunch