ALS has affected my life in so many different ways. I think the hardest thing is not being able to do anything for myself anymore. I have always been the fix-it man around the house, and I use to fish and hunt all the time. For me to now be 100 % dependent on my wife has been really hard for me. But I just live each day to the fullest and take it one day at a time. I have good days and bad days, but I try to keep a smile on my face as much as I can. My girls are my inspiration to keep fighting this disease. I want to make it to see both of them graduate from high school.

My wife had been doing lots of research on the internet when she found the Keith Worthington Chapter of The ALS Association. She was looking for as many resources as possible and contacted them. Everyone in the Omaha office has been absolutely wonderful and has helped us so much. I needed a manual wheelchair so I called them. They had one in their loan closet, and they brought it out to us right away. For anything we need, we can call Shannon and know that she will help us get what we need or lead us in the right direction. Shannon comes out to check on me to see how I am doing and is always asking if there is anything we need or anything she can do for us.

This fall, I am participating in Walk to D’Feet ALS to help raise money to find a cure and treatments for this disease. It is a horrible disease and the more awareness we can get out there, the better it will be for patients who are newly diagnosed. This disease is affecting so many people of all ages. I want to stay involved as much as possible and maybe we can find a cure for this disease.