Glen Ellyn Woman Faces ALS with Grace

For nearly 15 years, Eloise “Weezie” Nilges has participated in dog agility, a competitive sport in which she directs her dogs through an obstacle course in a race for both accuracy and time.

Eloise was not going to allow ALS to destroy her passion for this sport. After being diagnosed with the terminal, progressive, neuromuscular disease in January of 2019, Eloise is still training one of her Australian Shephards, but learning to adjust her training style.

“My mom has always been independent and active, however ALS is quickly robbing her of her physical abilities,” explained her daughter Terri Gavronski. “Throughout it all, she maintains a positive attitude. It’s amazing to see how my mom works within her limitations with her dogs so that she can continue doing something she loves, and it’s inspiring to see her face this disease with such grace.”

Eloise was experiencing weakness in her hands and a subtle change in her voice as early as August of 2018. She thought the changes may be due to arthritis, and her physician believed the symptoms were side effects of her medications. Family members in the healthcare industry suspected a stroke. When a stroke was ruled out, Eloise consulted various specialists, but still no accurate explanations were provided for the decline in Eloise’s health.

Eloise eventually saw a neurologist in her hometown of St. Louis who suspected ALS, and wanted her to get a second opinion. Terri stepped in to get the second opinion for her mom right away. Faced with a five month waiting list for an appointment, Terri persevered, calling the neurology department at Wash U Medical Center every week until they had a cancelation and Eloise could be squeezed into the schedule.

By the time the diagnosis was confirmed, Eloise’s health was worsening. A widow living alone, Eloise agreed to sell her St. Peters home, pack up the dogs and move in with Terri and her family in Glen Ellyn.

Today Terri serves as the primary caregiver for her mom. Terri has learned about BiPAP therapy, breath stacking, feeding tubes and is now becoming versed in communication devices that will help Eloise “speak” when she is no longer able.

Committed to making memories, in May, Eloise, Terri, her husband and their two young children enjoyed Disney World. In October, the three adults will travel to Europe, a life-long dream of Eloise’s. Having something to look forward to is important.

The family wants to give back to the community that is helping them at every turn. Terri has formed a team – Weezie’s Warriors - for the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s ALS Walk for Life. Held on September 15 at Soldier Field, the ALS Walk for Life features a 2-mile walk along Chicago’s lakefront and through the iconic stadium. Approximately 7,000 participants walk in honor or memory of a loved one with ALS at Chicagoland’s largest gathering of the ALS community.

Terri expects as many as 40 people to walk in her mom’s honor, and already, Weezie’s Warriors has raised more than $6,300 for the Les Turner ALS Foundation. For more information, visit www.lesturnerals.org.