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Maureen Garrity  
Maureen Garrity

Name: Maureen Garrity

Hometown, State: Helena, MT

Age: 48

Family:
Husband: Kurt Anderson
Children: Son, Devin (14) and daughter, Katherine (12)

Hobbies/Interests:
Now I try to figure out ways I can still enjoy being outside: swimming in natural hot springs, short walks in the woods with my walker (when there isn’t snow on the ground). Something I have been able to continue is yoga. Yoga helps me by both calming my mind and honoring my body at each step of ALS. I love to travel and continue to do so as part of my work (I just haul my walker along with me now!).

Date of ALS diagnosis:
September 2007

Tell us about your life before ALS:
Before ALS, my primary interests were skiing, biking, running, hiking and being outdoors with my family. I looked at physical activity as a way to both release stress and express joy.

Tell us about your life with ALS:
My life with ALS continues to be fulfilling. I remind myself each day that I am more than my body. ALS allows me to really live that lesson of “living in the present.” Each morning I set my priorities for the day, since I don’t have the same level of energy as before ALS.

Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc. :
While I can’t say there has been anything good about this ALS diagnosis, it truly has brought me some gifts – the gift of living in the present and of being grateful for all the goodness that does exist in my life. I look at the world in a different way. Now I really notice and appreciate the beauty in everyday life. I am more compassionate with myself.