Katonah Woman Honors Mom Through ALS Group

Mary Harris lost her mother, Ann Kratochvil, to ALS on May 16, 2009. Since then, Harris has honored her mother's life by participating in the Westport Walk to Defeat ALS but would like to do more.

"I'd love to meet people from around here who have gone through what I went through, and offer support and comfort if I can," said Harris, 34, of Katonah. "I have been reaching out to friends and family because a lot of people don't talk about what happens."

For Harris, it was a painful process.

Her mother was diagnosed just 18 months before she lost her life to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. "It’s a horrible disease, it can be hard to diagnose, and there is no cure and no real treatment. She was only 62 when she died."

The disease affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, weakening muscles and eventually causing death. Harris said the experience was frightening to watch, but her mother stayed active for as long as she could. "She took care of others when they were sick and brought them dinner. She did a lot of work at with their environmental sciences efforts, when my brother was a student there," said Harris. 

Harris has completed the ALS walk twice, both times with the support of her friends from , where she works, and from the Katonah community (see the photo posted with this story.) While the New York chapter of the ALS Association has fundraisers, she walks in Westport, where the path goes along with water. "It helps me remember my mom—she loved lighthouses and the beach," said Harris.

She also held a fundraiser in front of the store this fall, to meet community members who may not be aware of the disease or perhaps know someone who has suffered. Harris said she feels passionate about connecting with people and raising money toward prevention.

"I'm less overhwhelmed with grief now, and I can focus on doing more work," she said. 

Harris has two brothers, Matthew and Mark, and a sister, Catherine. Her Dad now lives in upstate New York, where he moved with her mom before she died. Harris said her family, including her husband Forest and young son Cody, support her desire to get more involved with ALS support in the new year. 

"I just want to do anything I can to honor my mom," she said.

If you'd like to join Harris in next year's walk for ALS or any other fundraising or outreach efforts, you can email her.