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Edwards says he was amazed at how
simple ModelTalker was to use. “It’s so
amazing that it’s able to capture his actual
voice,” he says. “Every sound will be a sound
he made with his own vocal chords.”
“It may not be perfect,” says Hal. “But it
will be my voice.”
Hal jokes about the advanced features
that will enable him to speak in any language
and choose even the most unique dialect.
“I’m trying to convince them to let me talk
like Brad Pitt,” he says.
“This is helpful for anyone who’s losing
their voice, not just ALS patients,” says
Donna.
Donna and Nickles stress the importance
of voice banking early on.
“You never want to be without your
voice,” says Nickles. “It’s important to be
aggressive with the disease and to prepare.”
Hal and Donna credit God, as well as
their church, friends, and family for helping
them get through this difficult time.
Since ALS can be an isolating disease,
Hal says visiting those with ALS can make
all the difference and that his weekly guests
have been a gift. “I can’t tell you how many
people have come out to see us,” says Donna.
This past September, Hal’s friends and
family supported him by taking part in the
ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS.
Team “Hal’s Pals” alone raised over $19,000,
which goes to ALS research and helping
provide families with needed equipment.
Hal also won “Most Money Raised” and
“Most Spirited.”
“They were the top fundraising team,”
says Nickles. “The huge crowd in green shirts
who came to support Hal showed how much
he is loved.”
Hal’s Pals also wore bracelets with the
verse that has been an encouraging reminder
for the Mardis family: “Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
(Romans 12:12)
“Our faith in God is what has brought us
through all of this, but it’s still been hard,”
says Donna.
“He’s taking it better than most of us
would,” says Hal’s son, Josh Mardis.
“He’s always positive and encouraging
other people,” adds Kimberly. “He’s still a
constant friend to so many and always has
an open door policy.”
“To see Hal’s faith and strength through
his journey has strengthened my own faith,”
says Hal’s former caretaker, Jeremy Freeman.
“His character is inspiring.”
To find out more about ALS and voice banking, and
to donate to ALS research, go to teamgleason.org
and webla.als.org.
Hometown Clinton • 37