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ALS: Anyone’s
  L
ife Story”
May 2007
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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. 

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Veronica Townsend

Name: Veronica Townsend

City, State: Perry, MI

Age: 38

Family:
Spouse – George Townsend
Children – Twin girls age 12 April and Lillian and son Quinten age 8

Hobbies/Interests: Crafts – jewelry making, painting and scrapbooking.  Home improvement projects.

Date of ALS diagnosis: November 15, 2005

Life before ALS: I was a very active person, kept up with my 3 children and their activities.  I enjoyed working on the house inside and out and biking.  I worked delivering the morning paper and had a job with Hallmark that I loved.

Life with ALS: I have learned to appreciate what I once could do, and now what I can still do.  I have a hard time dealing with the part of losing control of my body and what I can do and with the loss of independence.

How has ALS brought new significance to your life: I feel that if you have a great attitude that is the best weapon of defense, and I try to maintain a good attitude, especially for my children.  My family has gotten closer as a result of my being diagnosed with this disease.  With any disease there are changes, not just with the ALS patient, but with the whole family.  I have found that the love of my family, friends and community has given me so much strength.

 
 
 
 
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