CHANGE

As we go through life we see changes all around us. Sometimes we don't notice them and others we do. Just like the weather we expect the changes. If you think about it life would be very boring if their were no change. Everyone would be doing the same thing and we wouldn't be here. With ALS I/we my family and I have had to deal with changes that ALS has caused. I was one that was always on the go and always busy. Well this disease has caused me to slow down. That is a change that was well needed. Look around you and really look and ask yourself and please be honest, are you happy? I bet most of you will say yes. But now pretend that you have no use of your body and you now have to depend on others for your every day needs. As you watch the changes around you what would your answer be? Lets face it change is and always will be around us whether you like it or not. Life is all about change and it is up to us to make sure to use that to our fullest. I have ALS and I hate it but I love what it has done for me mentally and spiritually. It has allowed me to open my eyes and take it all in like a sponge of what my life is really about. I love the fact that I can appreciate the simple things that we do daily. Laughing, hugging and even the simple saying I love you is more greater than you can ever imagine. Just think I would never have found out what I am going through if it wasn't for change. Now I'm not saying all change is good. But what I am saying is this... Allow yourself to be open minded and allow yourself to accept the simple things that life has to offer. If not only you will be stuck in a bottle with it sealed and never knowing what you are missing out on. Life is so very precious and such a beautiful gift to be wasted away because you fear change. So go out and really look at your life and see what you can offer to those who need and want to live life to their fullest. I bet that you will like the changes that you had bottled up that you never knew what to do with or that you never knew you had. So I'll end here with... Live your life strong and Never Give UP!

Don't let the weather get in your way

As you look out your window you can see the changes in the weather. But you can not tell how warm or cold it is unless you go outside. Well ALS is kind of like that. If someone was to look at me, I seem to be normal like everyone else. But when I speak or need something done you can clearly see that I have something wrong. ALS has many different stages of this disease much like the changes of the weather. It can be sunny and warm one day and freezing cold with snow the next. With ALS you can be doing great one day and the next day you are having issues with breathing, or your speech is so very difficult for others to understand. Over the past few weeks I have noticed that my speech is difficult for others to understand and at times, many times John or Brittany will have to translate what I am saying. I also have noticed that my legs are so very much weaker. I use to be able to walk with John behind me holding me up while I walk but now even that is getting more and more difficult. Does that bother me? Yes but I am not able to do anything about it. I look at it as part of the ALS journey that I am on. I often wonder what will be next to go. But I don't dwell on this or allow it to bring me down. ALS has so many complex components about it to where it is almost impossible to determine where the disease will hit next. Or even who it will hit. I know that I am a strong person with a great attitude. But that doesn't mean that I'm invisible. It just means that I have accepted that I have an incurable disease. However even though this disease is terminal, I am still living and doing my best to help others dealing with ALS. So when I look out the window I don't look at the weather, I look and think of what I can do to help others. There is this saying "Never judge a book by its cover." So why should you? We can do anything if you really set your mind to it. Don't allow this disease take your ability of living life away. Don't allow the weather get in the way of you going out to explore your endless dreams and goals. ALS might be this horrific disease that is so cruel but you can fight back and live, love and and do the things that you enjoy. This disease can't take away your memories so quit looking out the window and take action for not only you but for your loved ones. Live your life strong and Never give up!