Finding Dignity - Ch 5 pt 1

Chapter 5: Fidning Dignity Amid Disease and Disentegration

This chapter introduces us to Wallace Burke. Wallace was dying of ALS and if you remember the book, "Tuesdays with Morrie" you will recognize that dreaded disease.

Of course each disease that removes the quality and dignity of health is terrible. My personal fear of ALS is the decline of the body while the mind remains functional.

I can imagine moments of confusion while maintaining this human body that may continue to walk, move, and reach. If my outer shell chose to become non-functional and my mind continued to reason, continued to feel love and sorrow, continued to move without accommodations from my body, could I stand to live?

I think not holding someone I loved would be a heart ripping experience. To fear taking the next bite of food because I could choke to death.....I can't believe I wouldn't force down some homemade chocolate cake. Yet I know these simple daily tasks elude the ALS patient as they watch from their oriented view a disoriented physical container decline.

If you had ALS and your body stopped working but your mind remained clear what would you do? How would you feel? Have you ever known someone with ALS? What was their view on their disease? Anger? Awakening?