A Mother with ALS Lives Out Her Dream of Dancing with Her Son at His Wedding

Mom With ALS And Son Shares Tear-Jerking Wedding Dance

Brothers helped mom with ALS to finally dance with her Son

A touching moment between a groom and his mother had touched the heart of thousands on the internet. Zak Poirier danced with his mom, a dream she’s had which became almost impossible when she learned that she was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 2019.

While most people were looking forward to the first dance, it was nothing short of a surprise for many who saw what happened: Kathy was pushed into the room by her twin sons, Nick and Jake, dressed her best for the son’s wedding to dance with him.

The 28-year-old took her arm and lifted her, hugging her to support the woman as they moved slowly to the beat of the son.

“I was just so devastated that I wasn’t going to be able to dance with him,” Kathy, who lives in southwest Florida, said. “We talked about it, and I really wanted to make it happen.” The 55-year-old shared that she visualized dancing with Zak ahead of his big day earlier this year. “I was very worried the day of the wedding… it was very emotional, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way,” said Kathy, who also faces some breathing difficulties due to the “unforgiving disease,” but hasn’t lost her voice yet.

Kathy shared that all three of her sons were comforting her throughout the emotional dance with the words: “We’ve got you, Mom, don’t worry. We can do this.” Midway through the dance, a visibly emotional Zak leaned in and told his mother, “I love you.” Kathy revealed that being able to share the unforgettable moment with her son at his wedding was truly special for her. “I had a hard time keeping my tears at bay, but it felt great,” she said. “It felt liberating to get up and have a moment like that with my son at a milestone in his life. It was just beautiful.”

Kathy said about the dance, “I was really nervous going up to the floor. Not because I was worried about my boys, I was worried about being stared at. I’ve changed so much in two and a half years, so I’m not the person I once was. Once I got on the dance floor, I knew my boys had me. They just said, ‘Don’t worry. We’ve got you. We’re not going to let you go.’ And it was just a moment I have dreamed about for a long time.”

The story behind viral video of son dancing with mom who has ALS at wedding l GMA

However, Kathy insists the video is not about her. “There’s not enough awareness. I’m very fortunate; I have family, and I have money to spend on treatment. But it’s not just about me; it’s about all the people that are suffering from this disease that need help,” she shared.

Kathy, who used to be an interior decorator running her own business, was officially diagnosed with ALS—also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after she began experiencing weakness in her hands. Although she initially thought it might be a pinched nerve, testing proved otherwise. There is no known cure for ALS and doctors estimate that patients will live two to five years beyond their diagnosis as their body deteriorates. “I look at it as, I have two options: I can either accept the diagnosis and all that comes with it, or I can accept the diagnosis and fight it,” said Kathy. “I’m choosing to fight it. I love my life… I want to live as long as I can.”

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