Maple Grove Woman Fights ALS, Raises Awareness

Lisa Trattles often greets customers early in the morning at a Holiday store in Maple Grove. From the outside, you would never know the vibrant 49-year-old Maple Grove resident was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. In May, Trattles was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, where the nervous system weakens muscles. It’s always fatal. There is no known cure.

“I’m still in denial,” said Trattles.

Trattles has had to cut back her hours at work. Her fitness has also taken a backseat. The former gym rat can’t work out like she used to do. Trattles says she knew something wasn’t right when her arm muscles started to bother her.

“I really have no use of my arm,” explained Trattles.

Not in This Battle Alone

Eventually Trattles went to see a neurologist at Hennepin County Medical Center and was put through a series of tests. Her doctor says she has about two to four years to live, but that depends on the progression of the disease. There’s only a five percent chance a person will make it to 10 years. But Trattles is not giving up and she’s not in this battle alone. 

“My daughter is a strong girl, she is, but you haven’t met her mother,” said Becky Armstrong, Trattles’ mother. “I always said how terrible it is to lose a child and now it’s me, now it’s me.”

Armstrong is on a mission, promising not only to be there for her daughter, but always spread awareness for others battling ALS. She’s making ribbons and putting up flyers, alerting folks about an upcoming fundraiser.

“My daughter has ALS, you darn right, I will do this for the rest of my life,” Armstrong said.

Meanwhile, despite Trattles’ grim prognosis, she remains optimistic.

“I have a super, wonderful positive energy.”

A fundraiser will be held next weekend to help with Trattles’ medical bills. It takes place Saturday, Aug. 11, from 2-7 p.m at the Osseo American Legion.  There’s also a GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/6vbzh-team-trattles

Maple Grove