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Hometown, state: Tucson, Ariz.
Age: 70
Family (spouse/partner; child, grandchildren): My wife Angela, one grown child and two grandchildren.
Hobbies/Interests: Music, sports, Internet, going to movies and concerts with Angela.
Favorite quote: “Love, turned upside down, is still love for all that.” – Irish writer Hugh Leonard
Date of ALS diagnosis: 1998
Tell us about your life before ALS: Worked as respiratory therapist at local hospital. Loved to take trips with Angela — California, northern Arizona, occasionally to Ireland. Did a lot of gardening; taking walks around the neighborhood.
Tell us about your life with ALS: Trying to accept life in the slow lane. I have learned that ACCEPTANCE is a key concept. No point in being angry at God or anybody else.
Do you have a “life motto” or profound words to live by? Live and let live. In other words: Mind your own business and allow others to live their lives as they choose.
Has there been an “aha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS? When I realized that kindness from others, no matter who they are, or how small the act of kindness may be, is always a gift beyond compare.
Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life — family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.: From a spiritual perspective, my Faith tells me that accepting my limitations and handicaps can be very significant toward “earning points” with God on the journey of life. I have learned that family, best friends and caregivers are the main reasons why it’s truly worthwhile to get out of bed each morning. I have learned that our pets may be more intuitive and sensitive to our needs than what we thought. I have learned that a bird in the hand is probably worth a lot more than two in the bush! I have learned that when you cannot walk, a good power wheelchair has to be very high on your list of Best Friends. I have learned that it doesn’t take long to find out which physicians have your best interests at heart, and which do not. I have learned that the hand of God can be very evident in our lives, and that it’s never foolish to hope for a miracle.
Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story? Being diagnosed with ALS is obviously a life-challenging event, not only for yourself but also for all those near and dear to you — family, caregivers and friends. Coping with this illness takes a village [sorry!]; it definitely takes a team effort, and the team spirit needs to be good. Humor and laughter can be important; we should not dwell on the negative and the sadness too much. Our time together is very precious so we should make the most of it. As the song says: I hope you will dance!
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