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ALS: Anyone’s
  L
ife Story”
May 2008
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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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Nan Urban  
Nan Urban

Name: Nan Urban

Hometown, State: Portland, ME

Age: 58

Family:
Husband: Lee
C hildren: Anna (31), Reid (29), Seth (25) and Chris (18)

Hobbies/Interests:
Quilting, gardening and reading

Date of ALS diagnosis:
May 11, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.

Tell us about your life before ALS:
I was a high school social worker until I had to leave on disability. I loved my job for 23 years working with teenagers and being involved in their activities. I was a busy mother who attended my children’s sporting events and frequently visited my children who lived outside of Maine. I was always exercising at the gym to keep myself strong.

Tell us about your life with ALS:
My world is more limited, but I am still able to drive and see friends. I strive to make quilts for my family. As I experience difficulties, I try to adapt. And I make sure now that I have a glass of bubbly each night to celebrate life.

Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.:
I try my best to live in the moment and not to think about the past and what I used to be able to do, or about my future and the things I will be unable to do. I’ve learned not to take anything for granted and to make the most of each day. I realize that the most important thing in life is love, and I now realize how blessed I am to have many loving relationship. Maintaining a vibrant sense of humor has become very important, and I try to find at least one chuckle a day.

 
 
 
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