Donate
 
google
ALS: Anyone’s
  L
ife Story”
May 2007
S
M
T
W
T
F
S

MDA’s ALS Division introduces you to 31 people  - one each day for the month of May - who are living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease). 

This series was inspired by Augie Nieto, ALS Division Co-Chairperson, who says that since his ALS diagnosis, instead of striving for success, his goal each day is to be significant.

In their own words, otherwise “ordinary” people describe the impact of living with a progressive, incurable and deadly disease. But their stories also tell how ALS has brought new significance to their lives in ways that you might not expect. 

ALS can become anyone’s life story. Please join MDA’s world-leading effort to stop it. 

Jerry Lewis Open
Enter your zip code
 
 
    Home>Anyone's Life Story
Read other stories by clicking the date on the calendar.
Marilyn Cooper  

Name: Marilyn Cooper

City, State: Northridge, California

Age: 62

Family:
Husband – Richard Cooper
Children – Andrew Cooper, Heather Outner, Steven Cooper and their spouses
5 grandchildren

Hobbies/Interests:Reading books, sports, my family and the MDA Task Force on Disabilities.

Date of ALS diagnosis: May, 1975

Life before ALS: I was 30 years old, a wife and mother of 3 small children.  I was very active and involved in a charity group, as well as my children’s schools and our synagogue.

Life with ALS: In the last 31 years I raised my children, saw them all graduate from college, get married and have children.  I also went back to college and received my M.S. in counseling.  I worked for 3 years counseling drug addicts and alcoholics.

How has ALS brought new significance to your life: My family and I have learned not to take anything for granted.  My children are compassionate and caring people, and my grandchildren think my wheelchair is a natural part of life.  I am passionate about my family and we enjoy together in our home all holidays.  I love sports, especially UCLA, and I read non-stop and have started a book club that has been going for the last 7 years.

 
Read more about Marilyn Cooper :
National Task Force on Public Awareness - Marilyn J. Cooper Northridge, Calif.
 
 
 
All contents © copyright 2006 - 2008 MDA All rights reserved.