ALCOA, Tenn. — The Alcoa community is banding together after a high school senior was recently diagnosed with a rare motor neuron disease.
In December 2023, Garrison Stephens noticed left arm weakness and eventual muscle atrophy. After multiple tests and scans, he received a juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis, a GoFundMe fundraiser said.
"Of course it was devastating, it was confusing," said Dyran Bledsoe, one of Stephens' family members, and the organizer of the GoFundMe. "I personally never heard of a child that age being diagnosed with ALS, especially in this region. And he's one of the youngest kids we know of in this region diagnosed with juvenile ALS."
Juvenile ALS affects fewer than 1,000 people in the U.S., according to the nonprofit Target ALS.
"While this is a devastating diagnosis, Garrison is dedicated to staying positive and fighting," the GoFundMe said.
Both of his parents are Alcoa teachers and are asking for donations to help cover unexpected medical and travel expenses.
Bledsoe said the family is touched by the donations, and there are ways for people in the community to help.
"Just a lot of prayers and a lot of financial support, that's why we got the GoFundMe going," he said. "We are going to try to get a golf tournament fundraiser going and a couple friends are reaching out to do a fishing tournament. Just doing various activities to have people rally around him and ease the financial burden."
Alcoa City Schools shared the fundraiser on its Facebook page. "Please help Garrison fight by donating and sharing his story," the school system said.
If you'd like to donate, click here.
