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Veronica Townsend

Name: Veronica Townsend

City, State: Perry, MI

Age: 38

Family:
Spouse – George Townsend
Children – Twin girls age 12 April and Lillian and son Quinten age 8

Hobbies/Interests: Crafts – jewelry making, painting and scrapbooking.  Home improvement projects.

Date of ALS diagnosis: November 15, 2005

Life before ALS: I was a very active person, kept up with my 3 children and their activities.  I enjoyed working on the house inside and out and biking.  I worked delivering the morning paper and had a job with Hallmark that I loved.

Life with ALS: I have learned to appreciate what I once could do, and now what I can still do.  I have a hard time dealing with the part of losing control of my body and what I can do and with the loss of independence.

How has ALS brought new significance to your life: I feel that if you have a great attitude that is the best weapon of defense, and I try to maintain a good attitude, especially for my children.  My family has gotten closer as a result of my being diagnosed with this disease.  With any disease there are changes, not just with the ALS patient, but with the whole family.  I have found that the love of my family, friends and community has given me so much strength.