So, I was nominated to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. As a Physical Therapist for almost 20 years, I have had the opportunity to work with several ALS patients. I have been trained to help people, but the devastating reality Ive faced when working with these patients is that there is not much more I have been able to do but to educate them on their disease process, help obtain and train them and their family members on equipment for their progressive debility and offer whatever emotional and spiritual support I can...a far cry from being the fixer that we, as PTs, are trained to be.... For some reason, I dont feel comfortable dumping a bucket of ice water on my head to raise awareness for this horrible disease..... No offense to any of you who have. It just doesnt seem like the right thing for ME to do.... So, my response to this challenge is to EDUCATE. Did you know........ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons leads to the inability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movements and eventually leads to the individuals death (most commonly due to respiratory failure). ALS commonly strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70 and as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time. The typical life expectancy for a patient suffering from ALS is 2-5 years (although people can live longer than this; it is, however, a fatal disease). ALS is INCURABLE and treatment (medication and supportive care) is used to improve quality of life. For more information or to donate, please go to alsa.org.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 01:27:50 +0000
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