Name: Patrick Sullivan

Hometown, State: Hannibal, NY

Age: 51

Family:
Wife: Sue
Children: Patrick (11) and Elizabeth (13)

Hobbies/Interests:
Yard work with my tractor, family time

Date of ALS diagnosis:
August 1996

Tell us about your life before ALS:
I worked for Hannibal Highway Department for 21 years as a heavy equipment operator. I ran my own dump truck business. I owned and worked on my own classic car and bulldozer.

Tell us about your life with ALS:
I needed to retire from highway department. I need help with daily activities including getting on and off my tractor. I am sometimes hard to understand and have some difficulty walking.

Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.:
I appreciate my life more and the people around me, especially family. ALS has made me appreciate what I can do and to work at the things that are harder to do. It helps me to live my life to the fullest, the best I can.

List your favorite quote:
Things aren’t always what they appear to be.

Do you have a “life motto” or “profound words to live by”:
Think positive – never give up!

Has there been an “a-ha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS?
Staying home because of having ALS has given me the time to be with my kids and to spend quality time with them as they grow up.

Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story?
I’m not afraid to go out in public and live with ALS – show people you can still do things because having the disease is not your fault, in whatever capacity you’re in you can still make a difference.