East Idaho Newsmakers: Mindy Rees, ALS and how her 33-year-old husband is fighting the battle
Published atIn this edition of East Idaho Newsmakers, Nate Eaton talks with Mindy Rees. Mindy’s 33-year-old husband, Wyatt, was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year after suffering symptoms for the past three years. He can not walk, eat, speak, swallow or move the majority of his muscles.
After a Secret Santa surprised the Rees family with a $10,000 check this month, the Rees family gained national attention. People magazine, Inside Edition, Fox News and other media outlets shared their story with hundreds of thousands of people.
RELATED | Secret Santa surprises young father of 4 battling ALS with a life-changing gift
ALS is a disorder that affects the function of nerves and muscles. It is estimated that as many as 20,000 Americans have the disease at any given time, according to the ALS Association. Most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70.
Eaton invited Rees to appear on Newsmakers to discuss ALS, Wyatt’s situation, how he was diagnosed and what the future holds for him and their family.
Watch the video above for the entire conversation.
EAST IDAHO NEWSMAKERS ARCHIVE
CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION IN EASTERN IDAHO
RETIRING EIRMC CEO DOUG CRABTREE
“POLITICAL COWBOY” CHAD PRATHER
IDAHO FALLS MAYORAL CANDIDATES REBECCA CASPER AND BARBARA EHARDT
15-YEAR-OLD VOCAL SENSATION LEXI WALKER
DR. MONA XU AND WHAT GOES ON IN OUR BRAINS WHEN WE’RE IN LOVE
REGIONAL GIRL SCOUTS CEO PAT PYKE
REXBURG NATIVE GARRETT SMITH – ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP BULL RIDERS
ANNE ROSE HART – THE WOMAN WHO WANTS YOU TO BE TRULY AWESOME
BONNEVILLE COUNTY DEMOCRATS CHAIR MIRANDA MARQUIT
9/11 FIRST RESPONDER, TETON COUNTY SHERIFF TONY LIFORD
NEW IDAHO FALLS POLICE CHIEF BRYCE JOHNSON
GAY MORMON BLOGGER, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER JOSH SEARLE
CONGRESSMAN & GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE RAUL LABRADOR
PIZZA PIE CAFE FOUNDER MATT SMITH
ATTORNEY, GOP LEADER BRYAN SMITH
SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVOR MATT MORGAN
‘NAKED & AFRAID’ STAR, POCATELLO NATIVE JEFF ZAUSCH