It probably doesn’t seem like much to some, but I just crushed an entire Auntie Anne’s pretzel with cheese while watching my Royals. That is a feat for anyone over 8 years into an ALS diagnosis! I loved every bite! Now let’s get this dub! #ALS #FightLikeAGirl

It really is the little things in life, I’m telling you! Today, I chased my dog around the house on my own. One of his most favorite things! No walls or dogs were harmed in the process! This evening, after a visit with one of our grandsons I got to give him a ride to the car. He turned around gave me a hug and said, “Thank you Grandma Sarah! I love you!” 🥰 #AbilityInDisability #ALS #FightLikeAGirl

Cincinnati Recap – Episode 3: Oh No! As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Cincinnati was an incredible trip—one I know I’ll treasure forever. Traveling with ALS is never easy. It requires a tremendous amount of planning, preparation, and packing. Thankfully, this was one of the smoothest trips we’ve had in quite a while. It was time to head home. We hit the road around 10 a.m. and, thanks to Lonnie’s efficient driving skills (yes, cops tend to like driving fast too), we were making great time. Then, in literally the middle of nowhere, the battery light came on. Lonnie had dealt with this before in our van, so he immediately pulled over to check the battery cables. Everything looked fine, and the light disappeared. Problem solved? Not quite. A few seconds later, the battery light came back on. At that point, Lonnie knew we needed to have it checked. He asked Siri for the nearest Advance Auto Parts, only to learn it would add nearly 100 miles to our trip—not happening. Fortunately, a NAPA Auto Parts was only 10 miles away. We made it there, and an employee ran a diagnostic test. Just as Lonnie suspected, the alternator appeared to be failing. She recommended a local repair shop and pointed us in the right direction. Lonnie gave Mom and I two options: keep driving and hope for the best, or head to the repair shop. Our expert opinion? “We don’t know.” Thankfully, Lonnie knows a lot more about vehicles than we do and chose the repair shop. Not even halfway there, the van went into self-preservation mode. Miracle #1: We made it to the shop. The owner, Rock, confirmed the alternator was failing and told us we likely wouldn’t have made it another mile. Miracle #2: They found the parts we needed. Miracle #3: Rock turned out to be an incredible human being. He understood the challenges we would face without our wheelchair-accessible van. In his small town, there were no accessible rental vans available—and none within 100 miles. Knowing our situation, he pushed aside his other work and promised to get us back on the road by 5 p.m. According to Lonnie, that turnaround time alone was a small miracle. Rock delivered. By 4:30, the van was repaired and we were rolling again. The rest of the drive home was thankfully uneventful. Rock and his crew saved us from a situation that could have quickly become a logistical nightmare. We are incredibly grateful for their kindness, urgency, and willingness to help complete strangers. And now for the part you can’t make up… The town where we were nearly stranded was Effingham, Illinois—home of the giant white cross, the second-largest cross in America. You can call it coincidence if you want, but I see a series of blessings. From catching the problem when we did, to finding the right people at the right time, to getting safely back on the road just a few hours behind schedule, I truly believe someone upstairs was watching over us that day. A huge thank you to the employees at NAPA and especially to Rock and his crew. Because of them, what could have been a disaster became just another memorable chapter in our Cincinnati adventure. ❤️ THE END!

Cincinnati Recap – Episode 2: Lou Gehrig Day Edition For the past six years, it has been such a privilege to celebrate Lou Gehrig Day at Kauffman Stadium—a day that is incredibly near and dear to my heart. I’ve shared this special day with the Royals, family, friends, and many local ALS warriors. This year, however, the Royals happened to be on the road and playing at a ballpark I had never visited before. As soon as the schedule was released, the planning began. From the moment Lorri learned I was coming to Cincy to celebrate Lou Gehrig Day with her and so many others, she made sure I would be well taken care of. Through her support and connections, the Reds chose to honor me and my service as a police officer. There was just one condition—they wanted me in Reds gear! Not to worry, I asked my guys for forgiveness ahead of time, and thankfully it was granted because it was Brady’s jersey. It was an honor to represent and support Brady during the Reds thoughtful recognition, but you better believe I traded the red right back for my Royals blue afterward. The day began with the unveiling of one of the most meaningful gifts I have ever received—a letter and video from the team in response to the letter I sent them to begin the season. Even now, I can’t watch it without tear filled eyes. It was heartfelt, thoughtful, and deeply personal. It is a tribute I will cherish forever and one that will continue to motivate me through the toughest days. Throughout the entire trip, the organization made me feel incredibly loved, valued, and appreciated. At the conclusion of the first inning, I was recognized on the video board as the Reds First Responder of the Night. It was a humbling honor for a career I would choose over and over again—not for recognition, but because it fulfilled my desire to serve and help others. Then the celebration began. It was such an honor to share the game with so many ALS warriors and their loved ones. Many were people I had connected with through social media but had never had the opportunity to meet in person. And, weren’t the only Royals fan in attendance! It was wonderful spending time with our friends, David and Alison. The Reds truly know how to celebrate Lou Gehrig Day the right way. A special thank you to John Rieder, Bailey, and Mason for going above and beyond to make our visit to Great American Ball Park an unforgettable experience. As I reflect on this day, my heart is filled with gratitude. Lou Gehrig Day is about so much more than baseball—it’s about honoring those impacted by ALS, raising awareness, building community, and reminding one another that none of us are fighting this battle alone. To everyone who made this day so meaningful, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. The memories made in Cincinnati will stay with me for a lifetime. ❤️⚾️💙 Stay tuned for Episode- I promise it’s one you won’t believe! #LouGehrigDay #Reds #Royals

Cincinnati Recap – Episode 1! Great American Ball Park was stadium number 16 for me, and it did not disappoint. From the moment we arrived, the Reds organization rolled out the red carpet for us—even though we were decked out in Royals gear. The hospitality and welcoming atmosphere immediately earned this ballpark a spot near the top of my favorites list. We were fortunate to attend batting practice on the field, where I got to catch up with so many familiar faces, watch balls launched into the seats, and soak in the sights and sounds of another Major League ballpark. The dream is still alive, one stadium at a time. I even had the chance to meet a THE Ohio State legend and current Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Jim Tressel. One of the most special parts of the day was reconnecting with Brady Singer. I’ll admit, I shed a few tears when the Royals traded him to Cincinnati. Brady has been incredibly supportive of me since the day we met, and I still make a point to watch nearly every one of his starts. He surprised me with an autographed Reds jersey, which I promised him I’d wear proudly. Before the game, we visited the Reds Hall of Fame to celebrate our friend Reggie Sanders, who was recently inducted. The museum is outstanding and does an incredible job honoring the rich history and legendary players who have worn a Reds uniform. During the game, I also had the chance to finally meet Nick Badders, the voice of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Nick has been a loyal supporter for years, and while I’ve listened to countless broadcasts featuring his voice, it took a trip to Cincinnati for us to finally meet in person. The day ended with a Royals victory, but the score was only part of what made it memorable. It was a day filled with friendship, baseball, and reminders of how many incredible people this journey has brought into my life. Stay tuned for Episode 2! ⚾❤️ So much gratitude for the @Reds organization and staff!

Just in case you missed it! The most priceless, special gift I have ever received. This is a masterpiece and will serve as motivation to get me through my toughest days. Forever grateful for the @Royals and @kcroyalstv! #SarahsSoldiers #FightLikeAGirl #StrongerTogether

Brady Singer was able to catch up with his friend Sarah Nauser 💙 #LouGehrigDay

Thank you Gubie! 🫶🏼 @Markgubicza

It’s a great day to have a great day!! Happy Lou Gehrig Day!! #LouGehrigDay #ALS #EndALS #Luckiest

So good to have @SarahNauser in town for Lou Gehrig day tomorrow. The Reds are honoring her tonight. We are doing a big special tomorrow. Fun to see Brady Singer and Sarah visiting

Day 31 How can we support you? The truth is, you already are. By reading these daily posts, sharing them, commenting, and helping spread awareness, you have been supporting me every step/roll of the way. Over the past month, my Facebook profile alone has reached more than 4 million views. That’s 4 million opportunities for someone to learn about ALS, and that means more to me than I can adequately express. On Lou Gehrig Day at The K, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I looked around the stadium and saw Sarah’s Soldiers shirts scattered throughout the crowd. Seeing so many people stand beside me in this fight was a powerful reminder that I am not facing ALS alone. I feel incredibly blessed to call Kansas City home and to be surrounded by such a compassionate and supportive community. For those who have asked how they can continue to help, if you would like to purchase a shirt or donate directly to support my personal fight with ALS, you can do so here: my-business-109128-109639.sq… If you would like to purchase a Royals-themed Sarah’s Soldiers shirt or support the nonprofit I created to help others battling ALS, you can do so here: sarahs-soldiers.square.site Both sites also allow donations without a purchase. As this month comes to a close, I want to say thank you. Thank you for reading, sharing, encouraging, and learning alongside me. I have read every comment, every message, and every word of support. While ALS has taken many things from me, it has also shown me the incredible kindness, generosity, and strength that exists in others. My hope is that these 31 days have helped you better understand ALS and the realities of living with it. Awareness creates understanding, understanding creates action, and action is what will ultimately lead us to a cure. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey and for standing with me in the fight against ALS. 💙 📸credit: The One and Only @JasonHannaphoto #ALS #ALSAwareness #FightLikeAGirl #SarahsSoldiers #Thankful #Blessed

Day 30 Are you more susceptible to getting sick because of ALS? Not necessarily. ALS is not an immune-compromising disease—it’s a disease of the nervous system. However, certain complications associated with ALS can increase the risk of illness. For example, individuals who choose to have a tracheostomy are more susceptible to infections because it creates a direct opening into the airway where bacteria can accumulate. Those who are still capable of eating and drinking also face an increased risk of aspiration due to weakened swallowing muscles, and aspiration can often lead to pneumonia. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be one of the healthiest, yet sickest, people you’ll ever meet. Knock on wood, in the eight years since my diagnosis, I’ve only been hospitalized once—and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I was only there a few hours, but it was an eye-opening reminder of how little many ER and EMS providers know about ALS and the unique challenges it presents. That said, my life is still very fragile. What might be a minor cold for most people could become much more serious or even deadly for me because my respiratory system is severely compromised. I’ve successfully fought through several illnesses, including COVID, but recovery tends to take much longer. I usually rely on my body to do the work, and it simply doesn’t bounce back as quickly as it once did. Even with those risks, I refuse to let the fear of getting sick keep me from living my life. I still attend events, travel, and spend time with family and friends. The people in my circle have always been incredibly thoughtful and respectful, taking precautions when they’re ill to help protect me. Kids are often times little germ factories because of school or daycare. I refuse to miss out on love and kisses from all of my little guys. Hey, maybe it’ll strengthen my immune system. 🤷‍♀️ ALS has taught me that there is a difference between being careful and being afraid. I take reasonable precautions, but I won’t allow fear to steal experiences, memories, or time with the people I love. Life is simply too short for that. #ALS #ALSAwareness #FightLikeAGirl

Day 29 Is it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship when your husband/significant other is your primary caregiver? For us, no. This is the life we know, and we’ve faced every challenge as a team. That said, ALS caregiving is not for everyone. It’s a role that never truly ends—a 24/7 commitment that requires immense patience, sacrifice, and love. For Lonnie, caring for me has never felt like an obligation. He takes great pride in being there for me, and there is no one else I would rather have by my side. His care is a true labor of love—the kind of love I never knew was possible until he came into my life. That doesn’t mean everything is always easy. ALS is incredibly hard. It tests us both in ways we never imagined. There are exhausting days, frustrating moments, and heartbreaks that come with living alongside this disease. What carries us through is our shared perspective: life is precious, and it is far too short to spend it angry, resentful, or taking each other for granted. We simply don’t have time for that. Lonnie chose to love me knowing the battle I was facing. That couldn’t have been an easy decision. We’ve heard the cruel comments and outside noise—things like, “Why would he fall in love with her? She’s just going to die.” As painful as those words were, they never defined us. If anything, they strengthened our resolve to cherish the life we have together. Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. The bond we share is something many people spend a lifetime searching for. Not because of ALS, but in spite of it. We refuse to let this disease dictate how we live. We’ve checked off bucket-list adventures, celebrated every milestone with the people we love, and treasured countless date nights at The K. Lonnie is my husband, my best friend, and my hero. His love has carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life and reminded me, time and time again, that I am never fighting this battle alone. He not only makes my fight possible but enjoyable. If ALS has taught us anything, it’s that love is not measured by the easy days. It’s measured by showing up, day after day, through the hardest ones. Five years later, I am still in awe of the man who chooses me every single day—and I would choose him all over again. #ALS #Love #FightLikeAGirl

Day 28 How did you face adding a communication device to your life, and what would you do differently? I’ll start by being transparent: I am an extremely stubborn person. In this case, to a fault. And I think we can all agree, change is often times met with some resistance. The first time I was introduced to eye gaze technology, I actually operated it with ease. But all I had ever heard or read was how difficult communication devices were to use, and I let that fear and stigma settle into my mind. As I gradually lost strength and dexterity in my hands, I still had my voice, so I tried to rely on Siri to text and communicate. Let me tell you — not ideal. Frustrating beyond belief. I’m sure many people can relate to arguing with Siri over the simplest sentence. At the same time, I was depending more and more on others to help maintain my social media presence and stay connected. Then COVID hit, and like so many others, I found myself isolated at home even more. My communication with the outside world slowly started shrinking, not because I lacked the ability, but because my own stubbornness was standing in the way. I was afraid that having a screen in front of me would make people assume I could no longer speak for myself. I worried people would focus on the device instead of seeing me. I thought it would somehow limit my communication when in reality, my fear was what was limiting me all along. Finally, I gave the device a real chance. Almost immediately, I flourished. I regained so much independence and freedom through what the technology made possible. But maybe most importantly, it gave me back the ability to communicate with my family and friends without frustration and without needing someone else’s help. Regaining that kind of independence again was priceless. If I could go back and do one thing differently, I would have embraced a communication device much sooner. It would have saved me so much frustration, exhaustion, and probably a few gray hairs too. These devices are not symbols of limitation. They are tools of connection, independence, and dignity. They do not take away your voice — they help preserve it. So if you have access to a communication device, don’t wait until you absolutely need it. Learn it. Practice with it. Get comfortable with it while communication is still easier. Giving yourself that time and grace can make all the difference later on. And if you’re stubborn like me, trust me on this one: accepting help is not giving up. Sometimes it’s the very thing that gives you pieces of your life back. #ALS #EyeGaze #FightLikeAGirl 📸credit: Tarik Makor Sykes

A big night for Bobby Witt Jr. as he received his 2025 Lou Gehrig Award. 💙

Day 27 What does Lou Gehrig Day mean to you? Awareness. Accomplishment. Admiration. Lou Gehrig Day became a reality in 2021 after three years of relentless work by a small committee I was incredibly honored to be part of. We were made up of people living with ALS or impacted by ALS who share a common love for baseball — all connected by this disease and united by one goal: to honor Lou Gehrig’s legacy across all of Major League Baseball while bringing desperately needed awareness to ALS. What started as a dream from my late friend Bryan “BWayne” Wayne became reality through the determination of so many, including my late friend Adam Wilson, who helped gain the support of all 30 MLB teams. Seeing something that once felt impossible become a nationally recognized day will always be one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of. Lou Gehrig was known as baseball’s Iron Horse because of his grit, loyalty, and unwavering dedication to the game, playing in 2,130 consecutive games before voluntarily stepping away after his ALS diagnosis. But beyond baseball, he was remembered for something even greater — his humility, kindness, and character. Personally, I strive to live like Lou. That’s what makes this day so meaningful. It’s not just about baseball. It’s about humanity. It’s about honoring those we’ve lost, supporting those still fighting, and making sure people living with ALS are seen, heard, and never forgotten. Since its inception, Lou Gehrig Day has become one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a day I’ve been fortunate to share with my family, fellow ALS warriors, and my beloved Kansas City Royals, who have continuously wrapped me in support throughout my journey. In 2022, we celebrated Salvador Perez as the second Kansas City Royal to receive the prestigious Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. Tonight, we celebrate Bobby Witt Jr. as the third Royal to receive that honor. Both of these men are extraordinary players, but this award is about much more than talent on the field. It recognizes character, compassion, and the impact they make off the field. Bobby, Salvy, and George Brett have all stood beside me throughout my battle with ALS in ways I will never forget. Their kindness, support, and genuine care have meant more than words can truly capture. Days like today remind me why we keep fighting. Days like today make all the hard days worth it. So tonight, we celebrate baseball, we celebrate Lou’s legacy, and we celebrate every person impacted by ALS. Let’s have some fun. And congratulations to my friend, Bobby Witt Jr. 💙 #LouGehrigDay #Royals #ALS #FightLikeAGirl #SarahsSoldiers

I love it!! 🫶🏼🥰💙

Day 26 Can you still eat and drink? I can, and I never take that ability for granted. I’m extremely cautious with every bite I take and every sip I drink. Choking is one of the biggest fears for someone living with ALS because as the disease progresses, it weakens the muscles responsible for swallowing. It also affects your ability to clear your airway if something gets stuck. Then there’s the risk of aspiration, when food or liquid enters the lungs, which can often lead to pneumonia. Eating is something most people do without a second thought. ALS changes that completely. I pick and choose what I eat based on what sounds good to me. I don’t follow any kind of strict diet. After spending so many years restricting myself while training for bodybuilding competitions, I refuse to live that way now. These days, I choose to enjoy every meal like it could be my last, because realistically, one day it will be. That mindset is also why I chose to get a feeding tube seven years ago. It gave me a layer of safety and stability while still allowing me to enjoy food by mouth when I’m comfortable doing so. What I wasn’t prepared for was how difficult it would become to simply open my mouth wide enough to eat the foods I love. I had never heard anyone talk about that side of ALS before. Most people lose their swallowing ability long before this becomes an issue. It’s actually more common to see someone with ALS unable to physically keep their mouth closed, while I’ve experienced the complete opposite. Yet another reminder that no two ALS journeys look exactly the same. I only eat by mouth when I feel comfortable enough to do so, at home, in my recliner, with nowhere to be. What most people can finish in 10 minutes could easily take me an hour. But no matter how long it takes, I’m still grateful I can do it at all and thankful Lonnie has so much patience with me. I can still enjoy a good steak. I could probably survive solely on ice cream cake and sweets if given the opportunity. I don’t have to soften my food or thicken my drinks, both of which are very common adaptations for people living with ALS. Socially, though, eating has changed for me. I’d much rather spend time talking and connecting with people than trying to navigate a meal in front of others. Eating in front of others makes me anxious, and anxiety only makes the process harder. I’ve been asked if it bothers me when others eat in front of me, it doesn’t bother me one bit. Not everyone can get nutrition through a feeding tube like I can. ALS has taught me that even the smallest things we take for granted can become complicated. Something as simple as sharing a meal can turn into a physical and mental challenge. But it has also taught me to savor the moments and meals while I still can. Pictured is one of my most favorite things, Lonnie’s homemade funnel cake! The man is a saint!! #ALS #FightLikeAGirl

Day 25 What is something you were not prepared for with ALS? A fitting question for Memorial Day. Let me start with a fact. Did you know our service members are twice as likely to receive an ALS diagnosis? Being so open and public with my ALS journey has connected me with many others who are fighting this same brutal disease. There’s an unspoken understanding between people living with ALS. No explanations needed. We simply get it in a way most others never could. It’s a community no one ever wants to become part of, yet within it I have met some of the strongest, kindest, most incredible people. People who continue to laugh, love, encourage others, and fight with everything they have despite knowing exactly what this disease can take away. What I wasn’t prepared for was how often I would have to say goodbye. The harshest reality of ALS is that it is always fatal. Over the years, I have lost more friends and fellow warriors than I can count. Every loss leaves a mark. Every obituary, every memorial post, every empty space where someone once was hurts. It never gets easier. Each passing is a painful reminder of the cruelty and unrelenting power of the disease we are all fighting, but it is also a reminder of the incredible people behind the diagnosis. People whose courage deserved so much more time. Today, on Memorial Day, I find myself thinking not only about the friends I’ve lost to ALS, but about the way they lived. Their strength. Their humor. Their determination to keep showing up even on the hardest days. ALS may have taken them physically, but it will never erase the impact they made on the world and the people who loved them. Today, along with our soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, I remember them. And I will keep fighting for them too. #ALS #ALSAwareness #FightLikeAGirl #SarahsSoldiers