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Hometown, state: Albuquerque, N.M.
Age: 43
Family (spouse/partner; child, grandchildren): Wife, Elaine, and two sons ages 2 and 4.
Hobbies/Interests: Tennis; fly fishing; Southwest archeology; gardening.
Favorite quote: 1) If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right; 2) Average is as close to the bottom as it is to the top.
Date of ALS diagnosis: March 2008
Tell us about your life before ALS: I played college and professional tennis, then coached collegiate tennis for the last 18 years. My wife and I were avid travelers until we had our two sons, when we discovered airplane flights were not as fun. Most recently, I thrived on chasing my boys and teaching them my passions of the outdoors.
Tell us about your life with ALS: Although I am slow in my progression, the activities in which I can partake are being reduced. I have learned to cherish life and appreciate any time we are given. As when my wife was pregnant, I have found that many people have good intended advice that is not always wanted. I am grateful, however, to have all of these people in my life…where would I be if I didn’t have people who cared so much?
Do you have a “life motto” or profound words to live by? Make everyone feel as important as you want to feel.
Has there been an “aha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS? When I quit looking for a miracle cure or treatment. I decided to live the best life I can.
Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life — family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.: The balance of my focus has shifted much more to my family. My career has significantly changed direction, but it and my hobbies fall a distant second to my family. These ultimately are just not that important.
Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story? Many years ago when I first heard the story of Lou Gehrig, I immediately thought, “I will be the one who gets this disease.” Ironically, my wife’s grandfather had ALS, too.
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