I have had the pleasure of meeting two such people this way. John, from Australia and Steve, from New York. It is a great comfort to know both of these fine individuals.
We are in contact with each other on a daily basis. Here is an example of their compassion and caring. I was quite ill for nearly a week with pneumonia like symptoms (which are very bad for me to have), and they flooded my E-Mail with messages of concern. Steve went as far as to call me on the telephone to voice his concern for my health. This one unselfish act alone is proof that even when a person has a terminal disease with many things in their own life that need to be addressed, they still maintain compassion and caring for others.
I feel that with all of the medical advancements in this world, there are still too many diseases that are incurable. I wonder why, with all of the medical miracles we have seen in this century, there are still many people with paralyzing diseases. One thought I would like to share with you is the fact that there are many people in this world who are physically challenged with some sort of paralysis or terminal disease. It is a small miracle in itself that we still have our minds, our thoughts, and our hearts. We share the feelings of love and compassion for our loved ones, friends, and other people. Steve and John have shown me that many times.
I would like to include their story about ALS/Lou Gehrig Disease in my web site, or prompt them to create one for themselves. It would be an honor to include anyone’s story with ALS/Lou Gehrig Disease among these pages, about you, a loved one or family member.
If you have a web site and would like me to put a link to it here. It would be a pleasure to do so.
Imagine yourself as a person who enjoys his profession and looks forward to each day as much as most people look forward to their vacations. Then one day things change and your career comes to an abrupt and unexpected end.
Is there a graceful way to change from a loving husband and father, whose whole life was devoted to providing for his family, to a person who has become dependent on them to care for him?
Picture in your mind all of the plans for the future you have had with a wonderful and caring wife of 22 years just vanish, because the doctors informed you that you have an incurable disease. The only plan one makes now is how to survive day to day.
There are many “how” and “why” questions' one could ask, and they all have the same answer: ALS or Lou Gehrig Disease.
What is ALS or Lou Gehrig Disease? The medical explanation is:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig Disease," is a progressive fatal neuromuscular disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain to the spinal cord. Motor neurons, among the largest of all nerve cells, reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body with connections to the brain. When they die, as with ALS, the ability of the brain to start and control muscle movement dies with them. With all voluntary muscle action affected, patients in the later stages are totally paralyzed; yet, through it all, their minds remain unaffected.
I have for months attempted to write this page or tell “my story," from the first day I was diagnosed with this disease. Because I do not have great writing skills, I have decided to share this big story with a few little stories. It will be easier to put together and you can watch as I progress in this disease. You will see how my life has changed and you will understand more about my feelings. I must admit that most of these stories are not complete at this time, but you can see those that I am planning to write.
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Diagnosed |
Still working |
Last run |
Vacation |
Life today |
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Here is a
wonderful little Parable, Which illustrates how I think
people with any personal challenges in their life can
survive day to day. |
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