Heather Landry remembers the day the news was delivered to her and husband Catlin.
“It was complete shock … the tears. The silence after,” Landry recalled.
On that day this past June, Catlin was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known commonly as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. At just 40 years old, the Luling man’s life changed forever.
“We’ve been each other’s world,” said Landry. “We’ve been together since 2007 … he’s trying his best to do everything he can while he can. Right now, he’s on what may be his last hunting trip. He has trouble walking far distances … it’s all progressed so quickly.”
Catlin began having difficulty with his leg and tried to work through it.
“He couldn’t really pick it up,” said Landry. “It was kind of just falling – it wasn’t doing what he wanted it to do.”
He had just earned a new job as a boat mechanic and did not want down time to disrupt that, but ultimately he had to go seek medical attention.
Catlin went to see his physician, who determined the former needed to see a neurologist. Later that day Catlin consulted with the neurologist, who set him up to see a muscular neurologist – at that appointment three days later, Catlin underwent a nerve test.
“They diagnosed him right away. It was probably the quickest diagnosis ever,” Landry said.
It’s taken an emotional toll along with the physical one.
“It wears a little bit on him,” Landry said. “There’s a lot he feels he won’t be able to do much longer.”
The progression of the illness has required he use a wheelchair much of the time outside of his home. His left leg has gone limp and Landry said the use of his right leg is declining, with muscle cramping getting increasingly worse and more frequent. He’s been forced away from his job, as the physical part of it is no longer feasible.
“Despite all of that, he is still the person he has always been. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and hosting crawfish boils,” said Landry.
The family began a GoFundMe (titled “Help Catlin Landry enjoy life with ALS”) that has raised nearly $1,600, to help with the day-to-day expenses the couple and their two children are dealing with along with the loss of income.
The Team Gleason Foundation has also stepped up to help, donating a wheelchair. Founded by former New Orleans Saints’ standout Steve Gleason who battles ALS himself, Team Gleason provides adventure, technology, equipment, and care services to others living with ALS.
“They’re wonderful,” said Landry. “We got to go to Benson Tower and the minute we walked in there, they’re like, ‘We’re getting you a wheelchair.’ They’re supportive and they were there to talk about everything and anything. And you can call them and talk about anything.”
On February 7, there will be a white beans, jambalaya and catfish plate lunch benefit fundraiser at the Bayou Gauche Fire Station from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each order is $15.There will also be raffles, 50/50 and a silent auction. All proceeds will go toward medical expenses and equipment needed for care.
