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Tyler’s Story
Site created on January 28, 2020
Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Tyler and Cassi have been married for 8 years and have three children: Alexandria, Bobby, and Christian (please visit the gallery section to see photos of our family). Tyler joined the Marine Corps Infantry after graduating from the Naval Academy in 2007, where he played football and was selected to the East-West Shrine Game his senior year. Just prior to his fourth overseas deployment, Tyler began having unusual neurological issues, such as slurred speech and unexplained muscle weakness. He was transferred to the Washington D.C. area in order to be closer to more advanced medical resources. Unfortunately his symptoms remained progressive, and in August 2019 doctors at both the University of Virginia and Walter Reed Naval Hospital diagnosed him with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease leading to paralysis and loss of speech.
Tyler’s voice and his ability to use his hands and arms has severely diminished, requiring Cassi to assist him with many daily tasks, such as dressing, hygiene, and preparing/consuming food. Tyler’s ability to walk has also been noticeably affected, along with overall muscular strength throughout his body. During all of this, Cassi has been a rock for the family, and her courage and toughness in the face of this debilitating disease is nothing short of heroic. Tyler and his family have paid significant out-of-pocket costs on elective, experimental treatments in an attempt to slow or stop the progression of his symptoms.
