Peter Sawyer of Mechanicsburg, PA is a military veteran and has been living with ALS for five years. He and his wife and caregiver, Lura, are tireless advocates for The ALS Association’s mission and exemplify true ALS heroes.
Carianne “Cari” Meystrik is a true hero to her family, friends and the entire staff at The ALS Association Tennessee Chapter. Cari and her husband Chris had only been married for 6 ½ years when she was diagnosed with ALS in 1998 while pregnant with her fourth child. The couple thought their dreams of growing old together and raising a family were over. Instead, despite the various obstacles brought on by ALS, the Meystrik family has had incredible adventures and made precious memories that carry them through the tough times.
In 2016, Troy Fields had everything going for him. A beautiful and growing family. A highly successful and satisfying career that allowed him to travel internationally. But he also started to notice signs that something wasn’t quite right. After treatment for cancer and a battery of other tests, his ALS diagnosis was eventually confirmed. Instead of focusing on what he was going to lose, Troy opted to channel his energies to be an agent of change for the ALS community.
Heidi Tarr Henson, diagnosed with ALS last spring, shares thoughts about her personal journey living with the disease, what courage means to her and how she strives every day to embrace and live by this powerful virtue.
Despite all that ALS has taken from me, I still try to maintain a positive attitude and try to enjoy each day. I have much to be thankful for. Instead of dwelling on things I can no longer do, I try to focus my time and energy on things I can still do.
We recently spoke with Joan and Tony Nolting about their personal experience living with ALS and attending an ALS Association Certified Center of Excellence. After experiencing mild breathing symptoms and slurred speech, Tony was diagnosed with bulbar onset ALS in September of 2020, just five days after his 63rd birthday.
My husband Russ and I were married in 1984 and were raising our boys Kyle and Dylan in the home Russ and my father had built together. Life was good. Until ALS upended everything.
My parents had been married less than two years when my dad was diagnosed. Of course, making a decision regarding whether or not to start a family was difficult at the time, but due to their faith and positive outlook, they chose to do so. Had they not shared the same optimism, my older brother John would not be here, and I would not be writing this today. To say that I am thankful for their decision is an understatement. My dad has had a long battle with ALS and is still fighting after 26 years.
Dr. Heidi Tarr Henson, recently diagnosed with ALS, reflects on in-the-moment advocacy, teachable moments and the power of setting boundaries with ourselves and others.
Avi works closely with The ALS Association, fundraising to ensure all people living with ALS have access to effective treatments and care. Almost completely paralyzed and unable to speak, he communicates by typing using small head movements. “My campaign to help find treatments and a cure is done primarily through a computer,” he says, “but my life is filled with joy, and I am living with ALS.”