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Hometown, State: Charleston, S.C.
Age: 62
Family (spouse/partner; child, grandchildren): Wife, Carmen, three grown children; seven grandchildren.
Hobbies/Interests: Golf; University of Connecticut basketball; U.S. Air Force, community and ALS issues.
Favorite quote: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Date of ALS diagnosis: October 2003
Tell us about your life before ALS: I was a loving husband, father and grandfather. I was active in my community, in my church and in the lives of my family. I was an avid golfer and liked to play basketball with my granddaughters.
Tell us about your life with ALS: I am still all of the things I was before, but now I watch golf and basketball on TV. I am the same person inside, even though the outside may look or act differently.
Do you have a “life motto” or profound words to live by? “Never, never, never give up.” – Winston Churchill. I don’t ask, “Why me?” Instead I ask, “What can I do?” and “What difference can I make?” Focusing on the positive allows me to keep fighting, and like Churchill said, never give up.
Has there been an “aha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS? My belief in God and loving family has given me hope and helped me endure this dreadful disease since day one of my diagnosis.
Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life — family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.: Since my ALS diagnosis, my approach to life has been calmer. My approach to death is reflective, but I have not given up. I am still fighting and contributing to the world around me. I have a great wife, family, friends and associates who are all helping in their own special ways. I understand that you don’t need the best of everything to be happy — you need only make the most of what you have. I feel that I have a responsibility to set a good example as a patient, especially to those who are close to me. I always think about what sort of example I am setting for my children and grandchildren. ALS cannot take away my mind or my spirit. In fact, it has only given me a new spirit and a new challenge. God gives everyone a different cross to bear, and some are heavier than others. How each person individually deals with their cross is what is important. I want to make the most of this challenge.
Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story? Part of this disease is looking ahead to death, but I look forward to living life to the fullest with my family and friends.
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