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Hometown, state: Hazelwood, Mo.
Age: 71
Family (spouse/partner; child, grandchildren): My wife Mary, grown daughter and one granddaughter.
Hobbies/Interests: My greatest joy is being with family, especially my adorable granddaughter! I enjoy watching TV and reading the paper when I’m alone.
Favorite quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
Date of ALS diagnosis: 1993
Tell us about your life before ALS: I drove a truck for a local distributor. Favorite pastimes included fishing, bowling and playing ball in a church league. I enjoyed being with my family, especially raising our daughter, and taking family trips.
Tell us about your life with ALS: My life is simple. Mary works on weekdays, so before she leaves, she makes sure that my coffee, pills and lunch are on my table by my chair in the living room. I spend the day there, reading the paper and watching television. If I need help, I have a call button that alerts Mary at work that I have a problem. I enjoy frequent visits by my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Do you have a “life motto” or profound words to live by? Live one day at a time, and don’t ever give up. Live and laugh every moment you can!
Has there been an “aha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS? My wife and I attended the inaugural MDA ALS support meeting 15 years ago, and we still attend. Each month I wear a funny hat that corresponds with the season or a holiday that month — and everybody in the group enjoys a laugh. Inspiring others by reminding them that life can still be fun helps me, too.
Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life — family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.: Family comes first! I’ve lived with ALS for 15 years, and I’m still here for a reason, so I celebrate life through my humor and optimism. I’m a role model for my nephews, and I want my granddaughter to know the importance of making the most of each day. I want my experience of living with ALS to be a source of hope for others who are dealing with ALS.
Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story? If I hadn’t had ALS, I would not have known the wonderful staff at the MDA clinic at Washington University. I enjoy the fellowship I have with everyone — the nurse, doctors, therapists and other staff, as well as the good care I receive at the clinic. They have definitely helped make my life as comfortable as possible.
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