For all the nay-sayers and fear based skeptics...far right or left. This is why we do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I, along with my sister Cassandra Curley were massage therapists for my late brother in law Randy Ruditz. From the early days of his diagnosis at 42 years old to his passing at 46 my family watched as my sister Johnna Ruditz dealt with the inconceivable task of nursing Randy while she raised her two young sons. For so long the daily weight of his medical degeneration lay so heavy on my sisters narrow shoulders, that it punctured our hearts just watching her deal with it. On a personal note I vowed one day to do whatever I could to tell hers and countless others story. Very little progress has been made medically for treatment of ALS since Randys passing over a decade ago. Although Stem Cell research has shown great promise, it was originally quelled during a previous administration and is now attempting to make up for lost time. For many neurological diseases such as Parkinsons, Muscular Dystrophy, and Multiple Sclerosis to name a few, it takes years of double blind sided research and testing to make progress. which have been desperately underfunded. During Randys treatment the fear and bias associated with the diagnosis terminal nature was disheartening to say the least for Johnna. It seemed at every turn medical and legal advisors balked at any suggestion she would make towards his treatment. Thanks to The Michael J. Fox Foundation and now Mr. the stigma has been lifted and is fast becoming a viral movement. Its not just about ALS, or wether one thinks time or water is being wasted, but rather its about all terminal diseases and how we as compassionate human beings respond to them.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 21:55:00 +0000
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