Rambling Man of ALS

ALS Case Study by Dunn & Co.

Rambling Man of ALS — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:29:33 +0000

Filed under: ALS, ALS - Research Tagged: ALS, ALS Association, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Conditions and Diseases, Lou Gehrig's disease, Neurological Disorders

White House Christmas Card

Rambling Man of ALS — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:41:35 +0000

Where’s the Menorah?

Filed under: ALS - Research

Happiness on Hold

Rambling Man of ALS — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:48:05 +0000

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are.

After that, we’re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.

The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with…and remember that time waits for no one.

If God gets the Glory for Newborns and Sunsets, who do we thank for all the Ills of the world. Who cares? Don’t worry-be Happy!

Happiness is not ones goal, place, or destination.

Happiness is your journey.

Filed under: ALS Tagged: ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Conditions and Diseases, Lou Gehrig's disease, Neurological Disorders, Religion and Spirituality

I Heard It’s Christmas

Rambling Man of ALS — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:00:07 +0000

Tis The Season that approaches rapidly, and yet so far out of reach for this fellow. They call it the season of giving, sharing, and the calendar points to one magical day of joyous celebration. Getting to that day is full of anxiety that could easily turn to panic as no one wants to be left out of this celebration. Our minds are consumed with shopping, decorating, wrapping, baking for all these joyous activities that prepare us for this annual event. It is the season of giving and requires a certain measure of personal participation in these various functions if we are to partake in this special day.

This season, for one moment, imagine not being able to wrap your gifts or tie those holiday bows. Imagine not being able to shop till you drop, stand in long lines, lose your keys or forget where you parked your car. Imagine not being able to partake in any of this. Imagine this season you are bound in a motionless body that moves only in different directions by means of a motorized wheelchair.

This is the case with many people who are coping with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS attacks the neurons that are attached to the muscles. The result is gradual paralysis. Those coping with this disease usually die from asphyxia because their diaphragms no longer work, and 80 percent die within two to five years of their diagnosis.

This season hits me hard as ALS does not allow me to participate in ways I fondly remember. It was my job to wrap all the presents because I did it best, and that contributed to my joy. It was my enjoyment to fill the stockings with the oddest of delightful novelties. Most of all, it hurts this season not to be able to light up my wife’s pretty face with a very special gift. This season ALS forces me to partake with eyes wide open, and a half-joyous smile.

This season would be magical and special if ALS had a gift of a cure. The season seems to be like many before it, a season without a cure, no cure, no where on the horizon.

If you would like to give the greatest gift without losing your keys or your car, consider a gift to your favorite ALS charity. Forget going to the Post Office. This is the gift that won’t be the wrong color or the wrong size. It will be the gift that puts smiles all around the ALS community including one for this fellow.

Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas

I ramble…

Learn More about ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease (nlm.nih.gov)

Filed under: ALS, ALS - Research, Spirituality Tagged: ALS, ALS Association, ALS TDI, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Hanukkah, Health, Holiday greetings, Lou Gehrig's disease, Motorized wheelchair, Neurological disorder

Heavenly Nation

Rambling Man of ALS — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:25:09 +0000

Sen. Goldwater in the U.S. Senate (16 September 1981) On religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God’s name on one’s behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both.I’m frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in “A,” “B,” “C” and “D.” Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me?And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of “conservatism.”

Sen. Goldwater, Washington Post (28 July, 1994)

When you say “radical right” today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party away from the Republican Party, and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye. “Mr. Conservative”