Ursula Quoyeser, known to many of us as Coach Q, has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) also called Lou Gehrig’s disease. Coach Q attended Lafayette High and then went on to play volleyball and softball at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) now known as UL of Lafayette. She was the first female athlete inducted into the UL Lafayette Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. She has taught and coached for over 35 years in Texas, Florida and Louisiana and led her teams to numerous State High School titles in Louisiana. She helped the Episcopal School of Acadiana set a high school national record, winning 16 consecutive Titles. She has been honored with 8 Louisiana “Coach of the Year” awards and has been inducted into the Louisiana Volleyball Coaches “Hall of Fame.” Coach Q has spent her adult life coaching and mentoring student-athletes. She is a teacher, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a smile and a hug when needed, and a support system to many. During her tenure, she has coached at USL, Pasco-Hernando State College (in Central Florida), Cathedral Carmel School, Lafayette High, ESA and St. John’s in Houston. Ursula returned to ESA in 2015. Due to her diagnosis, she will be stepping down from her position to focus on her health and the fight of her life. Life is always an adventure for Coach Q and she teaches kids so much more than a skill of a sport: rock climbing, paddleboarding, archery skills, camping skills, but mostly life skills. She teaches them how to be better people, kindness and acceptance of others and how to leave this world a better place than they found it. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived-that is to have succeeded.” Well, let us say that Coach Q is a TOTAL success. We all know attitude is everything and she is ready to fight this disease head-on. She will give it her all and then leave it to God. At this time, her prognosis is good and she is receiving up-to-date treatment from her team at Methodist Hospital in Houston. There is no cure for ALS and it is progressive. Coach Q will be taking medications to hopefully slow the disease’s progress but symptoms will gradually worsen over time. There are tremendous costs associated with this disease. It is known as the “bankruptcy disease” because the medical costs are endless to sustain life. Treatment involves making sure the person is well cared for, comfortable, and as healthy as possible. This often requires caretakers, mental health professionals, social workers, speech therapists, neurologists, prescriptions, breathing equipment, special equipment for mobility and electronic equipment to run the house and speak. The list goes on and on for a patient with ALS. We ask that you give what you can. Any amount is valuable. Please share this, call your friends, and pass this information on to those who know her and those who don’t. Just as she has welcomed all walks of life into her circle, we welcome your support. Let’s help Coach Q live comfortably at home for many years. Funds provided through Go Fund Me are one way to help prepare her home and provide support as issues arise. All funds are going directly to Ursula Quoyeser but if you are looking for a company to support in the future, we are recommending Team Gleason. They are an amazing support group for ALS patients. Thanks!
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