My Daddy was diagnosed at the end of July 2007 after losing leg strength, falling and having swallowing problems. After a muscle biopsy determined it was definitely ALS, he went from walking, talking and eating to feeding tube, ventilator to bedbound in two months. He died January 2008 after a 5 month battle. What I miss the most is his voice which was taken away first. His facial expressions became fixed within those first two months so his sweet smile was gone forever. He could not hug his grandchildren because he lost the strength to raise his arms. He could cry… and those tears rolled down his face quite often as he lay there watching us live our lives knowing he was not going to beat ALS. This disease takes a toll on the entire family. To see someone you love wither away before your eyes and there is literally nothing you or anyone can do is the heartbreak of this disease.
In fond memory of my Daddy, Dale Purkey