Some of you already know that my brother in law was diagnosed with ALS several years back. Shaun is a firefighter and was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 40. This is a devastating diagnosis that basically shatters the world of the individual and all his friends and family. Shaun has been picking up the pieces since that day at the doctor’s office, planning out how his children will be cared for and how his life will be lived from now on.
Firefighters are a special breed of people…they have the ability to stare fear in the face and bust through that wall of fire, literally. Many of us spend a life time trying to over come that kind of fear. We all wanted to be one when we grew up but now we know that this job is reserved for a unique type of person. Since I have known Shaun, almost 20 years now, I have seen his strength and his compassion. I have come to know the attitude in him that has allowed him to persevere.
My husband and kids and I had a chance to visit with Shaun this holiday and we spent some time talking about the challenges and worries he is facing. We had a chance to understand first hand what it takes for him to maneuver in his home, and do all the things of daily life that you and I take for granted. We learned about diaphram pace makers and feeding tubes and the pain that occurs in a body that can no longer hold itself up.
As a firefighter Shaun has always been involved with the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) during their regular “Fill the boot” campaigns, but since his diagnosis he has opened up and talked about his disease and the importance of the MDA in his life and the lives of many children. You can watch his latest speech at the the International Association of Firefighter’s convention here.
We travelled home from our visit with sadness and some feeling of helplessness, but also an intense gratitude for our own health. We have spent a lot of time thinking about how to help knowing that there may not be much we can do…
Which brings me to a lighter piece of this story. In my now daily addiction to Facebook, and in a continued effort to keep what shows up on my time line in the spirit of positivity and good vibes, I came across a story of a gentleman named Dr. Craig Oster. Dr. Craig, as he is referred to, was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 30 in 1994. Do the math. Someone had commented on a post he had made about getting a meeting with some of the top researchers at the ALS clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital. See the Facebook post here. In my effort to keep up with things that interest me, I “liked” his page and “friended” him, after which he immediately posted a note to my time line that read, “would you like to write a guest article for my historic holistic THE HEALERS campaign, with a world class team of advisors such as Bruce Lipton?”
Bruce Lipton? I have been reading his stuff since I was a wee physical therapist. Biology of Belief is sitting on my night stand. I was interested, to say the least. One thing led to another and well, you can now read my first guest blog HERE, about having a black belt attitude, which is what people like Dr. Craig, and my brother in law Shaun exhibit every day, each moment of their lives.
Thank you Dr. Craig for reaching out to me and for the opportunity you have given me to help in this small way. People come across our path for a reason and it makes me smile to have come across yours. I am proud to contribute to the amazing work you are doing to help people like Shaun.
COMMENTS
This is a wonderful article. It is so important to get the word out about ALS and to promote continued research so that soon, hopefully, we can find a cure. My prayers are with Shaun. He is a wonderful man and yes, he definitely exhibits the “black belt attitude” in all that he is doing.
