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R. Scott Jennings

Name: R. Scott Jennings

City, State: Manhattan, Kansas

Age: 52

Family:
Wife – Linda
Son and Daughter-in-law – Chris and Summer
- Children – Brendon and Noah
Son and Daughter-in-law – Eric and Michelle
- Child - Skylar

Hobbies/Interests: TV, computer and poker.

Date of ALS diagnosis: July 1990

Life before ALS: My life before ALS was your typical, average, middle class American family.  My wife and I had two sons and owned our own home with the white picket fence (ok, it was really chain link!).  I played several sports: softball, golf, basketball and coached the boys sports teams and was their Scout leader when they were younger.  I had an interior design business.

Life with ALS: My life with ALS slowed everything down of course.  I quit work, quit sports and left our good friends of 18 years and moved from Emporia, Kansas to Manhattan, Kansas.  ALS makes life more challenging and frustrating.  After 17 years with ALS I can still eat, talk a little bit, stand up to transfer and enjoy life!

How has ALS brought new significance to your life: I think the significant change ALS has brought to me has been patience and humility.  I do not judge anyone based upon their appearance or physical abilities like “normal society” perceives most people.  I was already very family oriented but ALS magnified that 1000 times more!  I have met hundreds of wonderful people over the years because of ALS that have truly shown me the idea of “pay it forward” and believe now more than ever that most people are good!