Adventures

Team Gleason provides and documents extraordinary life Adventures for individuals with ALS. By properly documenting each Adventure, the exposure of ALS to the public creates an enhanced level of public awareness. We believe these adventures are not only inspiring but also create opportunities to educate individuals who would otherwise not know ALS. From excursions to destinations around the world, to parties filled with family and friends, to trips to the Super Bowl or the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Team Gleason Adventures create lasting and oftentimes, life-changing memories for individuals and families living with ALS.

Please note: Due to COVID-19 and rapidly changing information, Team Gleason is limiting the types of Adventures we are able to assist with.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of Adventures get chosen?

A: As​ ​avid​ ​adventurers,​ ​Steve​ ​and​ ​Michel​ ​Gleason​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​pursuing​ ​life adventures​ ​for​ ​themselves​ ​despite​ ​Steve’s​ ​diagnosis​ ​and​ ​found​ ​that​ ​many​ ​people​ ​with ALS​ ​were​ ​choosing​ ​to​ ​accept​ ​their​ ​assumed​ ​limitations.​ ​Because​ ​of​ ​their​ ​love​ ​of adventure,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​important​ ​for​ ​Steve​ ​to​ ​include​ ​adventures​ ​for​ ​others​ ​diagnosed​ ​with ALS​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Team​ ​Gleason​ ​mission.​ ​Through​ ​Steve​ ​and​ ​Michel’s​ ​inspiration​ ​and tireless​ ​work,​ ​Team​ ​Gleason​ ​has​ ​helped​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​people​ ​with​ ​ALS​ ​experience adventures​ ​they​ ​never​ ​thought​ ​possible​ ​after​ ​their​ ​diagnosis.​ ​And,​ ​we​ ​hope​ ​to​ ​continue helping​ ​others​ ​experience​ ​these​ ​challenging,​ ​yet​ ​life-enriching​ ​experiences.

What is the application process like?

A: The application consists of questions pertaining to progression, the potential adventure, accompanying people, and the submission of a letter of diagnosis. After the initial inquiry phone call or email, an application will be sent to you to fill out. The Team Gleason Adventure Coordinator will look into the numbers and present it to the staff and board. From there, they will decide whether to approve the adventure or not. If persons diagnosed with ALS are chosen for an adventure, they will be notified via email or phone call.

Do you only choose adventures from New Orleans?

A: No, Team Gleason approves adventures from/to all over! We have sent pALS on adventures to Alaska, Africa, Disney World, and many other places across the globe.

Who pays for the adventures?

A: Team Gleason uses funds donated to the Team Gleason Foundation to create budgets for the Adventures program.

How are flights handled?

A: Team Gleason works closely with Travel4ALS, a travel agency who helps us get the best deals and are skilled in letting the airlines know of the pALS needs.

How are travel expenses handled?

A: Team Gleason pays expenses directly to vendors/agencies/companies. Team Gleason does not issue reimbursements.

Who can be chosen for an adventure?

A: Any individual living with ALS or muscular diseases or injuries.

Are these adventures “fully paid and all inclusive”?

A: Team Gleason has a limited budget and while we wish we could pay for the entire Adventure, this is generally unattainable. The budget and commitment are chosen on a case by case basis.

How many people can I bring on my adventure?

A: Team Gleason generally pays for pALS, a caregiver, and direct family members. Again, this is on a case by case basis.

Will Team Gleason plan my adventure?

A: Team Gleason helps facilitate the Adventure. When filling out your application, you will need to be putting in most of the leg work and research into the adventure. If approved, our Adventure Coordinator will work closely with you to plan and develop in-depth details of the experience. Depending on the adventure, Team Gleason also has the assistance of a travel agent to get the best deals.

My adventure has already been booked but I can no longer go. Can I keep the money that was supposed to be used for my trip?

A: With adventures being a part of our mission and a set budget, we try to send as many pALS as possible on adventures. Because of this, we are not able to issue monetary supplements if an adventure does not occur for any reason.

Taking a trip and want to know how Steve flies on commercial airplanes? 

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, Team Gleason is unable to grant every qualified adventure that we receive. The decision to grant an adventure is at the sole discretion of Team Gleason, and an adventure may be denied for any reason. Previously planned travel or already incurred expenses should not be included as part of a Team Gleason adventure or experience. If approved, we will work closely with you to plan and develop the details of the experience and each step requires prior approval. Unfortunately, we do not reimburse for privately planned travel outside of Team Gleason coordination.

Thank you and No White Flags!

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Frequently Asked Questions