The young women grappling with an “old man’s disease”
Diagnosed with A.L.S., they traded stories and drank tequila at an annual gathering on Cape Cod.
From The Times
January 15, 2026

Dozens of women converged on Cape Cod for the gathering of a club no one really wanted to be a member of: women diagnosed in their 20s and early 30s with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S.

Leah Stavenhagen wears a pink and white floral patterned blouse and sits in a wheelchair, having her makeup done. A tube-like device is attached to her nose.

Lucy Lu for The New York Times

They packed chargers, leg braces, canes, pills and … tequila.

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