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Nan Urban  
Nan Urban

Name: Nan Urban

Hometown, State: Portland, ME

Age: 58

Family:
Husband: Lee
C hildren: Anna (31), Reid (29), Seth (25) and Chris (18)

Hobbies/Interests:
Quilting, gardening and reading

Date of ALS diagnosis:
May 11, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.

Tell us about your life before ALS:
I was a high school social worker until I had to leave on disability. I loved my job for 23 years working with teenagers and being involved in their activities. I was a busy mother who attended my children’s sporting events and frequently visited my children who lived outside of Maine. I was always exercising at the gym to keep myself strong.

Tell us about your life with ALS:
My world is more limited, but I am still able to drive and see friends. I strive to make quilts for my family. As I experience difficulties, I try to adapt. And I make sure now that I have a glass of bubbly each night to celebrate life.

Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.:
I try my best to live in the moment and not to think about the past and what I used to be able to do, or about my future and the things I will be unable to do. I’ve learned not to take anything for granted and to make the most of each day. I realize that the most important thing in life is love, and I now realize how blessed I am to have many loving relationship. Maintaining a vibrant sense of humor has become very important, and I try to find at least one chuckle a day.