Enjoying life in every breath I can take

Hello, I am Eric. I am Blessed. I am in a battle with ALS. I am losing.

I was diagnosed November 8, 2011, just 2 weeks shy of my first wedding Anniversary, bummer huh?, as my wife and I walked to our car after leaving the Neurologist office, we did not say a word to one another, we got into the car, closed our doors looked at each other and she began to cry (she never cries), I tried to comfort her as I sat in shock, denial, total disbelief and I heard myself say: Don't cry baby, I am Blessed to have ALS!!
My wife looked straight at me & said: what did you say? I will punch you!! hahahaha, it was a classic, if not memorable moment at the start of our heart-breaking journey.

ALS- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body.
The progressive degenerations of the motor neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. when the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate & control muscle movement is lost,patients in later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

to me: ALS IS A cruel & punishing death. I am totally dependant on my wife, I cannot sit up in bed, I cannot walk to the bathroom, I cannot brush my teeth, hold a cup, spoon or fork, I cannot blow my nose. I CANNOT HUG MY WIFE, KIDS, GRANDKIDS. I can chew, swallow, talk & sometimes sing a long with the temptations & because of these simple task I can happily say:
I AM BLESSED TO HAVE ALS!!!!!

For those who know me, know that I have always been a hardworking man, they know that it is very hard for me to "ask" for money but, I also know that my ticket has been called & my time is limited, with that said ALL I want before my ticket gets punched is to sit on my front and/or back porch & enjoy the beauty of my days as I watch the sunrise, as I watch the sun set.

the money that I am askng for is to have my front porch repaired & a decent wheelchair ramp built as the one I have is too steep and the construction of the back porch with ramp will serve as a much needed emergency exit, I am already trapped in my body I do not want to be trapped in my home.

The cruelty of ALS is that, although I am paralyzed I can still feel the sting & itch of a mosquito bite, I just can't scratch it!!

The repair of the front porch & the construction of the back porch will prevent those pesty critters from abusing me. ;-)

So, as I invite you all to contribute to the 'Celebraton Of My Life" I want you ALL to know that I will forever be grateful for your assistance in helping me enjoy the simple treasures of sitting in my yard & basking in the beauty of God's gift of nature.

Thank you very much for reading my story & contributing to my life.
Embrace every moment in YOUR life, Dream Big & Just Do It. Tomorrow is NOT promised.

Always,
Eric Chapman