Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, (aka ALS, Lou Gehrig's
Disease, MND), is a relatively uncommon (about 4 to 6
diagnoses per 100,000 population, worldwide) neuromuscular
disease for which neither cause, nor cure, is known. ALS is
characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor nerve
cells in the brain (upper motor neurons) and spinal cord
(lower motor neurons). When the motor neurons can no longer
send impulses to the muscles, the muscles begin to waste
away (atrophy), causing increased muscle weakness. ALS does
not impair a person's intellectual reasoning, vision,
hearing or sense of taste, smell and touch. In most cases,
ALS does not affect a person's sexual, bowel or bladder
functions.
Beat A.L.S. is my attempt to relate to the world that there
is hope after a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
No, there is no cure. And yes, the progression is
relentless. But doctors are not God (although many would
have you believe differently), and they cannot predict when
you're going to die.
Today, I am not dead. And every day that I wake up "not
dead" is going to be a GREAT day...
