Kris Matteson Charlton, wife of patient Jim Charlton

Thumb seemed limp, visited family doctor, referred to private neurologist, tested at hospital, diagnosed 99% positive - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease. These events occured all within the month of December 1995. After 27 years of marriage and perfect health we both sat "paralyzed." A second opinion at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota three months later confirmed the previous message - .,no treatment and no cure," said the noted neurologist at

Mayo, "Tough it out!"

Heartbroken and quiet, my strong, stoic husband retreated, as he had since December, into his shell. Not knowing even what Lou Gehrig's was until that fateful December day, I took the challenge to accept the diagnosis, but for our family not to give in and be defeated by it! Having always been a believer that attitude affects outcome, I decided to try and approach ALS head on. The journey has been 2-1/2 years and we are all "fighting" by looking for joy in each day and not projecting constantly into the future. Our lives are different, but Jim is still the same person on the inside. We are all changed, but united and even stronger than before!

How can this happen to an ALS patient and their caregivers?

Knowledge empowers all of us. By learning everything that a lay person can possibly understand about ALS through the internet, books, associations, support groups, physicians and other patients and caregivers has aided us in traveling this road. If we can do it, so can you! Think positively about the time that we have all been given to have been put on notice. Yes, we have time to be the person we wish we could have always been for our loved one with ALS. We can make the most of these days and treasure the moments even though they are often filled with frustration, anger, resentment and disappointrnent. We are not alone on this journey and can "tough it out" together. Never give up hope and let's be there for one another!