“ ALS Changed My Life” Chapter 123

Posted on 14 March 2025

Have you ever had something happen to you that was life changing? Maybe you crashed a car and survived, beat cancer, got married, or had a baby? Maybe you've even had several life-changing events in your life. Before ALS I would have said that my notable life changes were joining the Army, getting married to my beautiful wife and becoming a father. I would argue that after each of these events my life changed, but they were not actually life-changing. I have also been in five vehicle accidents, everything from ditching a patrol car into a snowbank to a 100 mph wreck on the autobahn. However, I still (or... I used to) drive too fast. I joined the Army which gave me a career, but I was still a smart ass from New York. I got married 29 years ago on the 25th of March, and I can say it was the best decision in my life. After each of these events though, I was still internally the same person.

When something affects you so much that it becomes life changing, one of two things can happen: you change for the better or for worse. That, of course, is why it’s an important part of marriage vows. 😂🤣 If you change for the better, you generally accept it and move on. It’s when things get worse that we need to seek out help. This help could determine the outcome from the change. If you need help, please seek it out.

When ALS entered my life and the lives of those around me, my life changed both externally and internally. First, my eye started to twitch, and then my tongue did the same. My right arm was weaker, and then I lost my voice. Over the last four years, my body has continued to fail me, and today I can only use my eyes. I can’t even close my eyelids without a struggle now. As I lost more functions, I have adapted more, though. I went from walking on my own to using a wheelchair. I went from hugging, to being hugged by others. I was breathing on my own, and now I rely on a ventilator to breathe. What is really the different between the past life changing events and this one? ALS has changed me internally... and for the better.

Before my diagnosis, I was not very comfortable socializing one on one. I found those interactions too personal, and conversations were drawn out when I didn't know what to say. Now you can ask me anything and I will be happy to answer. Only now the conversation is drawn out because I have to type out every letter and I have so much to say. I didn’t have a personal relationship with God before, and I certainly didn't know what to say to him. Now, our relationship gets stronger each day. In high school I failed every English class I had to take, but the New York education system kept pushing me on to the next grade. I hated writing, grammar, and spelling. My “dog” ate my homework. I was mugged and they stole my homework. My room caught on fire and burned up my homework. You name the excuse, I used it. After failing 9th grade English and Social Studies, I still moved on to the 10th grade, where I struggled with the same two subjects all over again. This pattern with my English classes repeated itself throughout high school, where I finally graduated after summer school following my senior year. Over the years, my spelling and grammar have been, well, let’s say a "little flawed.” 😂🤣 Thanks to the invention of computers and writing programs, I now actually enjoy writing. In addition to writing this weekly blog, I’m writing a book now and even taking writing classes... by choice! Internally I have embraced writing and have a lot to say.

We go through life engaging and disengaging freely without really thinking about it. Our lives are made up of daily events that combine together in order to generate who we really are. It’s not until a life changing event unless it changes who we are for better or worse.

I pray all your changes are for the better.

Love and Blessings

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