ALS Global Awareness Day

June 21 is Global ALS Awareness Day. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, the man made famous by his accomplishments as a New York Yankee while becoming the first advocate for ALS. In his 1939 farewell speech to a sold out Yankee stadium, he told his fans he was the "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth." As a person coping with ALS, I am lucky in many ways.

Sounds strange I know but at age 55 I have lived a robust life, children grown and a head start on early retirement. The best luck, is my loving wife who has now taken on the role of nurse and caregiver. ALS can attack anybody at anytime and far too many are caught without any safety net. I have witnessed single patients, single parents and some that are further traumatized by divorce after the ALS diagnoses. The pain is real, it is also cruel. As body part by body part become totally paralzed our mind is able to record every wasting loss. ALS surrounds us in emotional quick sand and the patient has no time to plan, no time to live. We have miles to go in this ALS journey when it comes to adequate care required by ALS victims. Mostly we rely on the services of ALS organizations to help us reach one more day. Without them, I hate the thought of this journey all alone. Information available at The ALS Association.