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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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Read other stories by clicking the date on the calendar.
Juan Pena

Name: Juan Pena

City, State: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Age: 67

Family:
Wife – Jean
Daughter – Lia
Son – J. David

Hobbies/Interests: Before ALS:  scuba diving, skiing, snorkeling, wood working; After ALS: playing on the computer.

Date of ALS diagnosis: October 2001

Life before ALS: Before I was diagnosed, I was very active in raising my kids.  I enjoyed making refinements on my property in Florida which I built with my wife, along with boating and skiing.  I was an Air Force aviator for many years and I just loved to travel the world.

Life with ALS:I learned another perspective on life and death.  It hits you upside the head and without that didn’t look at the big picture.  It made me humble, and yet still allows me for pride in my accomplishments.  Mainly, I get to meet angels, inside and outside of MDA that give me that lift I need.  I can’t really call ALS a curse because of the people and opportunities it has given me.

How has ALS brought new significance to your life: Before ALS I was chasing the American Dream.  When I was diagnosed I was compelled to move to Colorado Springs so I could be closer to my family.  I learned that the people you love will return that love to you many times more.  The largest significance has been a letter my daughter wrote me while a freshman at the Air Force Academy Prep School.  She told me that she knew she could do anything with her life because I have taught her how to be tough!  That’s certainly significant!

 
Read more about Juan Pena:
Reading Between the (On)Lines (Quest Extra: Volume 13, Number 3, May/June 2006)
 
 
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