I was diagnosed with sporadic limb onset ALS in the spring of 2024. My symptoms started the summer of 2023 when I started having trouble hiking. Like many with ALS, I went through many diagnoses from ankle sprains to sciatica. As symptoms progressed, it became more clear something neurological was going on. It seems like the tests are endless because they have to rule out so many other neurological diseases. Because ALS is 100% fatal, you find yourself wishing for any other disease. I can remember being inside the MRI and praying to have multiple sclerosis. I worked at a university and was able to work for 6 months after being diagnosed before it became too much. My husband was a teacher and he retired early to take care of me. We lived in St Louis but our grown kids did not, leaving us with no support network. We had to sell our family home and downsize into a smaller home near one of our children in order to be able to financially make ends meet. My goal when diagnosed was to live long enough to see my youngest child graduate college. She graduates May 2025 which is a few months away. I am 57 years old and never thought I would be doing things like planning my own funeral or writing love notes for my children for future key moments in their lives. I spend my spare time advocating for ALS among several organizations. Last fall I got to participate in my 1st Senator meeting. I was the only ALS patient present among a group of caregivers. I actively participate in clinical trials in hopes that a cure will come for future patients.