Young women across the US are facing an "old man's disease" - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - but instead of succumbing to its cruel effects, they're trading stories, drinking tequila, and making grim jokes at a unique annual gathering on Cape Cod.
Diagnosed with ALS, a group of women in their 20s and 30s have come together to form an unlikely support system. The women, all connected through social media or online forums for people with ALS, meet annually on the Massachusetts coast to share their experiences, find comfort in each other's company, and push back against the devastating effects of the disease.
At this year's gathering, a sea of laughter and tears filled the air as the women recounted memories of their loved ones who have passed away due to ALS. Some spoke about the frustration of watching those closest to them struggle with the condition, while others shared heartwarming stories of how ALS has brought people together.
This unorthodox gathering is more than just a group of friends trying to make sense of their diagnoses - it's an exercise in resilience and defiance. For these young women, life is about finding meaning despite the crushing weight of ALS.
Diagnosed with ALS, a group of women in their 20s and 30s have come together to form an unlikely support system. The women, all connected through social media or online forums for people with ALS, meet annually on the Massachusetts coast to share their experiences, find comfort in each other's company, and push back against the devastating effects of the disease.
At this year's gathering, a sea of laughter and tears filled the air as the women recounted memories of their loved ones who have passed away due to ALS. Some spoke about the frustration of watching those closest to them struggle with the condition, while others shared heartwarming stories of how ALS has brought people together.
This unorthodox gathering is more than just a group of friends trying to make sense of their diagnoses - it's an exercise in resilience and defiance. For these young women, life is about finding meaning despite the crushing weight of ALS.
. It's not easy facing a disease like ALS, but they're proving that even in the darkest times, there's always hope and beauty to be found 
. I love how they're using their shared experiences to support each other and push back against the negative effects of the disease 
. And can we talk about how cool is it that they're getting together on Cape Cod every year for a tequila-fueled celebration? 
It's like they're saying, "We may have ALS, but we're not going to let it take over our lives!" 
Like, who would've thought that a group of 20-somethings with ALS could find so much joy and comfort in each other's company? I mean, I know I always post about my anxiety/panic attacks online but these girls are like the ultimate examples of turning lemons into margaritas 
! It's like, I get why people might think being diagnosed with a super tough disease like ALS would be, like, totally debilitating, but these women are just living their best lives and not letting it bring them down 
It's all about finding that support system and making the most of every moment. And I love how they're pushing back against ALS by just living life on their own terms 
. I love how they're using humor to cope with all this craziness - it's like, they're not gonna let ALS win! But at the same time, it's super sad that they even have to deal with this thing in the first place... I wish we could just fast forward to a world where diseases don't exist 
. Anyway, what's interesting is that these women are connecting with each other online and then meeting up in person - maybe that's the key to making them all feel less alone? 
.
! Trading tequila shots for support is everything and more 
They're using social media to find each other and now they've got an annual gathering on Cape Cod where they just LOL, cry, and share their stories. It's like, what even is this?! How can you turn something so dark into a positive, life-affirming thing? I'm low-key inspired by these women who are living their best lives despite ALS being super harsh 
) to these incredible women and their unbreakable spirit!
". And I'm low-key impressed that these young women are using their platforms to raise awareness & show the world what resilience looks like 
, and I was thinking how rad it must've been to ride those gnarly waves back in the day. I mean, these dudes were like modern-day pioneers or something! And then I started thinking about my grandma's surf story - she used to take me to the beach when I was a kid, and she'd teach me how to catch some waves (well, more like wipe out 
they're doing everything right by supporting each other & not letting ALS get them down 
. It's beautiful to see these women using tequila and good vibes to cope with a tough situation 
. They're showing us that even in the darkest times, there's always hope and a way to find meaning