Moses Lake woman hopes for Seahawks success

MOSES LAKE - For as long as he's known her, Jesse Alvarado said his wife Charlotte has never missed a Seahawks game.

"She's a true Seahawk fan, she loves them win or lose," Alvarado said.

And since the two got married 19 years ago, he's never missed a game either. Alvarado said they used to watch games together at their home, but that hasn't been possible since last year.

Charlotte was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly after they got married, he said.

"She said she was having eye problems and thought she just needed glasses," Alvarado recalled. "But the eye doctor said he saw something behind her eye and ordered an MRI."

Their doctor called them back shortly after the MRI and told Charlotte she had multiple sclerosis, he said.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. There is no known cure for the disease, said Alvarado.

Although she experienced symptoms every now and then, the disease was for the most part manageable for many years, he said.

But in 2010, Charlotte's symptoms got worse.

"Three years ago she had a really bad time," he said. "She was struggling more and more."

Charlotte eventually had to be moved from her home to a hospital in Spokane in 2012, Alvarado said.

After three months in Spokane, she was able to return to Moses Lake, he said. However, due to her worsening symptoms, Charlotte wasn't able to return home and was instead placed in an area nursing home.

Alvarado said she is now bed-ridden and can barely feed herself.

"Now she's in a state where she's just not the same," he said. "It's hard to see her like this because she's in a lot of pain."

But she continues to watch her favorite football team each week.

"The staff makes sure they turn the TV on to the game each Sunday," he said. "It makes her happy."

Although Charlotte isn't able to jump and cheer anymore, Alvarado said she has the biggest smile when she's watching the Seahawks. And the team's performance this season has meant more smiles for Charlotte, he said.

"She's excited about their season," he said.

Before Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks were 12-2.

"They need one more win to clinch the playoffs," said Alvarado. "They have a good, good chance to go to the Super Bowl."

And being able to see the Seahawks advance all the way would mean the world to his wife, he said.

"She told me she wants to see them go to the Super Bowl before she dies," he said. "That's her dream."

Alvarado said other than watching the Seahawks, the only thing more exciting for his wife right now is the fact that their son, Jesse Jr., will be returning home from his first semester of college this Christmas.

His son, who graduated from Moses Lake High School this year, is currently attending the University of Washington, he said.

"We'll be able to spend Christmas together, which I know will be great for her (Charlotte)," said Alvarado.

He added that he was sure the Seahawks would make its way into their conversations this Christmas.