My dad was dignosed with ALS in 2007 now he is nearing the end of his life. My dad was a full time farmer and work at a factory job by night. He was so full of life! Daddy would always know how to make you smile! I look back now and I can see dad so healthy, so happy! It’s hard to see him go through this awful and ugly disease! I have four children and work full time and live an hour away! I go see him as often as I can. To see my dad go through this, its unimaginable.

Dad used to be at a healthy weight of 180-170, now he is at 100 lbs.and has been on a feeding tube for over a year he can hardly talk, he has lost all muscle control in his neck. He wears a neck collar to hold his neck up now, but still seems to be able to get to the barn and try to feed his mules and horses. Four days ago he fell out of a barn loft and broke his collar bone. Two days later I went for a visit and found my daddy slumped over in a chair and was unresponsive, after about 5 minutes he came to and was unable to recongize me and could not talk, I called the ambulance. This was devasting to me it all came at once, the realization, my daddy is dieing. I’ve know he had this disease I knew there is no cure, I knew he was dieing, but that night reality struck me hard, this wonderful man that worked all his life so that he would be able to finally retire spend time with his wife, children and grand-children is now gone his time now is spent with this awful ugly disease!!

My daddy will be gone soon, I promised myself no matter what I will visit at least once or twice a week and phone calls of I Love You everyday! Don’t wait until ALS or some other illness strikes your love one! Live as though this is your last day, last hour, how would you spend it! Let’s find a cure for this ugly diesease. God Bless and Keep You!