Wes’s Story

Site created on May 23, 2022

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. While he was diagnosed in 2020, this page wasn’t created until May 2022. We will try our best to fill in the gaps.

Wes was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in April, 2020. It was a “sporadic” case, as are 90% of all ALS diagnoses, meaning the cause is unknown.

Wes’s first symptoms began in his throat and voice (bulbar onset), which was especially difficult considering anyone who knows him is aware of his exceptional communication skills, ability to create a sense of camaraderie anywhere, and love for singing and playing guitar.

Over the past two years, ALS has robbed Wes of his ability to speak, swallow, walk, and breathe on his own. Despite all this, he has still continued to shine his love just as bright. Also, as he tells his doctor when asked about his mood, he’s “still a funny fucker.” And as many of his family & friends say, he is still the toughest SOB we know.

Currently, Wes is in a wheelchair, wears a bipap 24/7 (non-invasive ventilator), receives tube feedings, and communicates by writing and texting. Feel free to send him a text! Just know that his hands are getting weaker, so his responses may be short - but he is very appreciative and grateful for all the love.

Yambaily!

**Updated: Wes Roberts peacefully passed away at home surrounded by family on July 3, 2022. Thank you to everyone who supported him and our family, and thank you to all who keep his spirit alive through love, music, hockey, humor, and yambaily!

Newest Update

July 27, 2022

Journal entry by A.M. Roberts —

Hello everyone! This Saturday in Hastings, we will be celebrating the life of Wes Roberts, my dad. With it now being a few days away, we have been getting lots of questions. I hope this helps!

Time & Place:
2pm-5pm at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel: 3075 Vermillion St., Hastings MN 55033
—mingling from 2-3pm, words of remembrance starting at 3pm

Attire: **casual**
—Before his passing, Wes requested that everyone wear their yambaily shirts to his celebration of life. Feel free to wear anything with the shirt, this will be casual (jeans, leggings, skirt - anything is okay!)

—If you do not have a yambaily shirt, we will have a box of extra shirts (*limited supply*) at the door for those who need one! And when we run out, we will write down names so we know who still needs one sent to them 🙂

—If you are coming without a yambaily shirt, you can still dress casual, and maybe try to wear something Wes would like (MN Wild shirt, hockey jersey, brewery shirt, etc.) 

Thank you, Yambaily❤️
Read More of the journal titled "July 27, 2022"
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