I have to say I’m loving your comments on the post about my step sis’ not-so-PC doctor. 🙂 If you haven’t had a chance to ‘weigh in’ on it yet, go check it out.

What a busy day so far! I may not be at my regular day job any more, but I’m still working at a monthly clinic for patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease (aka Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka ALS). Today was clinic day!

First lunch, then ALS thoughts. 🙂

Lunch

Sugar snap peas!!

And a veggie burger with ketchup & spicy mustard on a whole wheat bun. Plus a pickle on the side 🙂

Lou Gehrig’s Inspiration

I only get to spend a few hours at the clinic, but those hours never fail to leave me draw-dropping-ly inspired.

Lou Gehrig’s disease is a devastating, progressive, and ultimately fatal illness. Over the course of just a few years (if that), people with Lou Gehrig’s become completely debilitated- losing the ability to walk, talk, swallow, eat, & breathe on their own.

Nobody would fault these individuals for coming into the clinic in depressed & miserable moods. That’s how I imagine I would feel.

But every single time I work this clinic, I am absolutely awed by the strength & determination these patients have. I would venture to say some of them have an even more positive outlook on life than I do. It’s simply amazing.

There are quite a few patients that come to see me that have lost their ability to talk. I hate to admit it, but my first reaction is that they’re not going to understand the education I’m giving them.

Woah. Back up. Did I really just say that?

Yes. The thought lasts just a fraction of a nanosecond, but it’s long enough to make me shudder at myself with guilt.

But what makes me proud is that I quickly, quickly toss that notion out the window, which is more than I can say for some people.

Other therapists & staff treat these patients like they’re idiots. They act as if they don’t understand anything, and talk down to them, as if speaking to a child.

But listen up. A person may not be able to talk- that doesn’t mean they can’t think & communicate.

I have two patients that constantly stick out in my mind. One of them carries a white board & dry erase marker with him. The other uses a handheld keyboard that talks a la Stephen Hawking.

Not only do they “talk” to me through these devices, they ask the most thought-provoking, brilliant questions. They just need to somebody to slow down enough to listen.

They teach me a lot.

I have no problems talking, and even I can’t form the words to say how amazing these individuals are. I feel extremely grateful to meet them.

What inspires you?