How ALS Changed My Life Without Suffering From It

No one enjoys being sick.

No one enjoys paying a trip to the doctors office.

And no one enjoys having an illness that no doctor and no medicine can cure.

No, I am not talking about a spinal cord injury. I am talking about another neurological disorder known as ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

For 2 years, I have attended a charity ball called "Augie's Bash." Augie's Bash is a huge fundraiser on behalf of ALS fighter, Mr. Augie Nieto. This fundraiser raises millions of dollars to find a cure for ALS. The purpose of Augie's Quest has always been to fund research and drug development aimed at ending ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. Since 2007, Augie's Quest has raised over $44 million in support of finding effective ALS treatments- making it the largest individual fundraising program for ALS! All funds raised by Augie's Quest benefit ALS TDI, the world's largest ALS-dedicated drug development organization.

Now Augie is now known as an inspiration to many, as he has lived past the expectancy of two to three years of this cruel disease that wipes out voluntary muscle movement because it attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. In basic terms, this disease attacks your body and takes every working muscle away from you slowly and slowly, until all your organs stop working and eventually your body shuts down.

So while you are completely, 100% mentally all there you are 110% physically detiorating. Augie cannot speak, he cannot feed himself, he has almost lost all ability to smile or even move his mouth. This disease is taking everything away from him, except his mind.

But Augie's family believes he has responded with an amazing will to find a cure for the disease. At 56, they believe his mind is sharper than ever. From being at his fundraiser last night, I can honestly say he is one of the most special people I have ever laid my eyes on and he can't physically speak one word.

Talking.

Eating.

BREATHING.

3 of the things we ALL take for granted on a daily basis, Augie hangs on for dear life every single day wishing he was able to perform these basic bodily functions.

Augie lost use of his arms and legs within the first three years of being diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease. Years ago, Augie started to communicate by typing on a special device using his feet (AMAZING, RIGHT), and he still has use of his facial muscles. He mouthed the words, "I love you, and I'm so proud of you" to his daughter Lindsay during her wedding ceremony. Not only did he tell his daughter he loved her but he WALKED HER DOWN THE AISLE. Yes, I said walked. We are talking about a man who received a death sentence diagnosis and still keeps moving forward and defying the odds.

So as I'm sitting at this event last night, listening to Augie's wife Lynne speak on stage on behalf of Augie, I just wondered to myself how can this man continue to defy all the odds placed against him? How is he able to continue to be so strong? The answer you may ask, HE IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

So many people wander around this planet wondering what their purpose is. They struggle because they are searching for some place to belong whether that place is with a certain someone or simply for themselves. What so many people forget is that your purpose on earth is to help others in your path, it's the only thing that matters. Do you think at the end of your time on earth it's going to matter how much money you made or how hot your girlfriend in college was? No, the only thing that is going to matter is how many lives you touched.

When you are suffering and have everything taken away from you like Augie, all you can do is continue to move forward the best way you can and count your blessings. Augie is thankful he was here to walk his daughter down the aisle, he is thankful he got to meet his grandchildren, he is thankful he is still here on earth today enjoying life the best way he can surrounded by so much love.

That is why you should be thankful to be here.

Thankful to be breathing, living, and loving.

Xoxo,

A Guy's Girl

This post is dedicated to Augie Nieto and all others who are battling ALS every single day. You are the true heroes on this earth.