I met Tim right after the Penn State vs Auburn game last month.
I lost a couple of friends to ALS.
When one friend was diagnosed, I contacted Steve Gleason from the Saints and asked him to write a note of inspiration to my friend. He obliged and I was blown away at the courage these guys have. Here’s his note:
“Sounds like we're in this journey together. Since my diagnosis life has been incredibly challenging. This is a brutal and terrible disease. Quite frankly, it blows. I have moments where I look at myself and see myself as if I'm in some tragic movie or living someone else's life. I don't often have moments where I'm not thinking about how this happened, how to heal, or how this can be real.
But with each challenge comes an opportunity. I feel that I've been given the opportunity to love and enjoy my family and friends. I also feel like everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the present moment. One thing I love is focusing on what I can do rather than what I can’t do. Also, I try to look at what I no longer have to do, like parallel parking, for instance.
I feel like it’s an opportunity for us as ALS patients to be examples to our family, friends, and the public, of how to face life's adversities with courage, honesty, and grace.
This formula is not perfect. I still find myself struggling a lot. But, these thoughts do help affect my outlook and hopefully they can do the same for you.
No White Flags”
God bless Tim and all those effected by this horrible disease.
I lost a couple of friends to ALS.
When one friend was diagnosed, I contacted Steve Gleason from the Saints and asked him to write a note of inspiration to my friend. He obliged and I was blown away at the courage these guys have. Here’s his note:
“Sounds like we're in this journey together. Since my diagnosis life has been incredibly challenging. This is a brutal and terrible disease. Quite frankly, it blows. I have moments where I look at myself and see myself as if I'm in some tragic movie or living someone else's life. I don't often have moments where I'm not thinking about how this happened, how to heal, or how this can be real.
But with each challenge comes an opportunity. I feel that I've been given the opportunity to love and enjoy my family and friends. I also feel like everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the present moment. One thing I love is focusing on what I can do rather than what I can’t do. Also, I try to look at what I no longer have to do, like parallel parking, for instance.
I feel like it’s an opportunity for us as ALS patients to be examples to our family, friends, and the public, of how to face life's adversities with courage, honesty, and grace.
This formula is not perfect. I still find myself struggling a lot. But, these thoughts do help affect my outlook and hopefully they can do the same for you.
No White Flags”
God bless Tim and all those effected by this horrible disease.
