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Name: Jeffrey Joseph Renville
Hometown, State: Glendale, CA
Age: 42
Family:
Wife: Martina
Daughter: Alyssa (4 years old)
Hobbies/Interests: Baseball, music, family outings, travel
Date of ALS diagnosis: January 24, 2004
Tell us about your life before ALS:
I was an electrical engineer working for an aerospace equipment company. I was an avid golfer and runner as well as most any outdoor activity. I enjoyed traveling to new and exciting locations such as Paris, Costa Rica, etc. Ultimately, I raised funds and ran a marathon for the Leukemia Society. My daughter was born six months prior to my diagnosis. So my focus definitely changed toward her and our family.
Tell us about your life with ALS:
It is very difficult living with ALS. I'm at the point now where I must rely on someone else to take care of my every need except for communication. I am still able to get out of the house because I have a very nice wheelchair and van. I'm able to get outdoors, taking Alyssa on rides to the school where she can play.
Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.:
ALS has made me center my focus on my family. I try to live each day with a positive attitude and enjoy my conversations I get to have with Alyssa. I have created some CDs of my favorite music to be given to Alyssa on significant days in the future. The CDs will be accompanied by a note or letter that I have written. Additionally, I have a Web site that I'm beginning to use to keep people informed of my status.
List your favorite quote:
I don't really have a favorite quote, but I typically like quotes that are about positive attitude. Even prior to my diagnosis, I always liked the quote by Lou Gehrig. "I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth." I had great parents; I have excellent friends, and have had so many wonderful experiences in life. Most of all, I have an amazing wife that has made me a better man, not to mention she gave me the most beautiful daughter.
Do you have a “life motto” or “profound words to live by”:
I have always tried to live my life in a positive, happy manner. To me, being angry is not going to make the situation any better.
Has there been an “a-ha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS?
When I was first diagnosed, I used to always ask the question, why me? But as I was driving to work one day, I saw a homeless man and asked that same question, and I finally realized that they are loved also. Everyone has someone who loves them, thus ALS has no prejudice.
Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story?
Now that I have ALS, I'm trying to raise awareness about the disease. Last year, I tutored high school students [in] mathematics, and wanted to use that as a platform to familiarize them with ALS. And also this year I’m going to speak to a high school class that is reading "Tuesdays with Morrie." I will be talking to them about my personal experience with ALS.
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