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My wonderful brother-in-law, Pat, was diagnosed with ALS approximately 3 1/2 years ago. He succumbed to this horrific disease on his birthday, June 14, 2009. I hope that a cure and/or an effective treatment can be found for ALS. NO one should have to go through what he went through. ALS may have taken his life, but it never took his beautiful spirit and being away. Miss you and love you Pat - One Eagle! Sherry
posted by Sherry on 1/15/10 8:06: PM

On June 2nd 2008 at 5:23 pm a loing light was extinguished by ALS. Her name was Patricia McCormick. She raised Four children in to great adults and took care of her husband of 53 yrs as he died of Cancer only 8 months to the day before her. the hardest part for her was losing the ability to communicate. ALS made her panic sometimes becase she thought one night she might choke in hre sleep. I took time of from my job as a police officer to care for her when i could and so did my wife. It was hard for me because in my job I help others and keep them safe, and in the end I couldn't help my loving mother who was always my protector. I miss her everyday and am wiling to help in anyway I can. please feelfree to contact us anytime.
posted by Tim&Ivonne on 9/29/09 10:58: AM

My aunt Dianne. My world. My everything, was diagnosed in June of 08 with ALS. It took over her body so quickly that she could go any moment now. I had never heard of his disease before, or if I had, I had not payed it any attention. Now it has my complete attention.Watching someone you love suffer from something so horrific and not being able to help them is devestating. We have to find a cure. I dont want anyone else to have to suffer the way my aunt has had to. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy.
posted by Lori Robertson on 7/24/09 4:27: AM

God bless us all....Those facing the challenges of this disease, those caring for a loved one with als, and those who want to help find a cure. I lost my father and cousin to als. May we find a cure before anybody else has to suffer.
posted by Dorothy on 5/03/09 9:29: PM

I enjoyed viewing this video!
posted by Cynthia Vigilato on 2/16/09 7:45: PM

My mother lost her battle with this horrid disease on January 12, 2003. Words to describe her pre-ALS? Self-reliant, innovative, talented, self-educator, seamstress, knitter,loving, kind, inventive, patient, adventurous, positive... Post ALS, she lost her battle when she could no longer breathe herself or eat, some 7 months after diagnosis. Most of her energy was expended pre-diagnosis, when she didn't know what was wrong and fought tooth and nail to be mobile. Once she knew why she couldn't walk anymore, she just stopped fighting. Both my brother and I, and our children and grandchildren are at risk, and each time some little quirk happens, we think, "Oh, my God, not this". This disease was new to our family, a previously long-lived, healthy line on both sides. What is happening to our world? What have all the nuclear testing, additives in food, pollution etc. done to us? Please continue your research, and may God watch over all those affected by this horrendous disease and give them a reason for hope soon.
posted by Janet Labrecque on 1/07/09 9:44: AM

I commend you for your fight against this horrible disease, I lost my dad John Ingraham, July 1, 2003 to ALS. No one knows until they live through the loss of a loved one to ALS just how important it is to find a cure for this disease. God Bless you for your strength and courage to continue to fight for yourself and others.
posted by Donna Sanders on 9/06/08 3:54: PM

The Burke Family prays for Lisa Carter's brother, Dean.
posted by Dave Burke on 6/05/08 4:37: AM

My daughter Keri, was 29, when she died January 13, 2008, a few weeks ago. Her daughter was 10 months old. She and her husband lost their jobs due to his and my husband and myself, being full-time caregivers for Keri and Kellyn. Keri only had a Probable diagnosis at Christmas, 2006, so she lived a little more than a year from that. Visit keribstill.com to learn about my daughter; I hope you can help us seek to train the ones that didn't train us, with the Keri B. Still Conference on ALS, this year. We are trying to raise the funds to pay for this. Thank you for sharing this personal, yet so public subject.
posted by Joan Brown on 6/03/08 7:17: PM

Thank you for sharing
posted by Anissa Welch on 5/31/08 8:16: PM

Thank you Augie & Lynn. My boyfriend, an Army Sargeant, was diagnosed less than six months ago with Lou Gehrigs. His upper body muscles have all but disappeared and the awful twitching has begun in his legs. I have never felt so helpless in my entire life. I pray everyday that God and Jesus cure him, but I realize that we are not alone in this suffering. I pray that God or Jesus take the ALS from his body and give it to me instead, if thats what it takes to cure him. He barely complains and has shown more courage in the face of this than I thought I could ever see. He is only 31. We try to focus on the good things in life everyday, and I make sure that I make him laugh everyday too. Laughter helps, and when I hear him laugh, it makes his ALS disappear, if just for a moment. I thank God for people like Augie & Lynn in this world. Its all about "Unconditional Love".
posted by Paul Edward Reeser on 5/29/08 10:01: PM

Right now my family and I are watching this disease take my daddy from us. It took my aunt about seven years ago, and now my mother watches and prays and cares for him day in and day out. I know that God has a plan, but I wish that I understood. I am praying for everyone who has to deal with this terrible sickness.
posted by Lisa Porterfield-Thompson on 5/29/08 7:58: AM

Let me share with you the story of Tom Hugh. He has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nervous system. Yet, through it all, for the vast majority of people, their minds remain unaffected and there is no cure. Most people live 3 - 5 years after its onset. Tragic. He has been battling it for almost eight years, which is amazing. He still has a strong spirit with a sense of humor and lights up when you come into the room. Tom & Sandy Hugh have been married for 38 years. Tom has lived in Elgin his whole life. He graduated from Larkin High School in 1966. Tom worked for EBY brown for 25 years then changed careers to be a school bus driver at U-46. He became a school bus trainer and truly enjoyed it until he became diagnosed with this horrific disease. They mean the world to our family and they have been through so much. He has been on hospice for the past three years. They just got notified hospice will no longer be providing their service to them since it is only suppose to be for six months or less and he had been on it for three years. Hospice had been helping Tom & Sandy with the expense of the medical equipment, doctor, medication, etc. We are hosting a bowling benefit on May 31st at Elgin Lanes. Hope you can come!
posted by Jeanna on 5/21/08 3:04: PM

Listened on behalf and a good friend's husband who just was diagnosed with ALS
posted by AMM on 5/11/08 6:50: PM

Augie, my wife Cathy has ALS. She was dx in july 2007 and is on deaths' door today may 10th 2008. I wanted you to know you were a very big influence for her. Her hopes and strength to fight this disease was from your book. She was a regular runner and loved to work out. She leaves behind a man who loves her more than life itself and 3 beautiful young children. I want to thank you for helping give her hope when there was and is none for this disease. Thanks Augie, you're an inspiration.
posted by scott snider on 5/10/08 7:31: PM

Amazing accomplishment. One of my best friends, John Austin, recently succumbed to ALS. Active and excellent internal medicine physician. Coincidentally, his nickname also Augie. Horrible disease. Would be great to find treatment or prevention. Keep up the great work and thanks for the insights.
posted by Pat, Wisconsin on 5/08/08 6:45: AM

Thanks John and Augie for the privelege of sharing this with you and helping with the Quest
posted by eric affeldt on 4/01/08 2:01: PM

I had the honor to see this video at Augie's Beach Bash,it had the same affect on me today watching it as it did than, Augie and Lynne are an amazing couple, I pray that all there effort and work will pay off in the end and they will beat this horrific disease... God Bless
posted by Brooke Quickel on 4/01/08 1:55: PM

Listened to this on behalf of the ALS patients and specifically a family member.
posted by Melanie on 3/24/08 6:32: AM

What a video. Be prepared to cry. I am so thankful for all of the people who are out there searching for the end of this scary disease. My family has lost many to it. Hopefully with all of us pulling together we won't have to lose many more. Keep doing what your doing, you are a blessing from above!!!!!
posted by Nikki Charles on 3/18/08 12:18: PM