June 06, 2005

Beyond amazing

The Charlie Wedemeyer story is the most amazing medical tale I think I've ever heard, and it just keeps going on. Wedemeyer has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS. The average lifespan for a victim of the disease is between two and five years, yet Wedemeyer has been living and surviving with it for 29 years. He was born in Hawai'i, was a football standout in high school, and was a receiver for Michigan State in 1966. He went on to teach math and coach football at Los Gatos High School in California. Then in 1976 he began showing symptoms of the disease and was given only one year to live. He's still alive, all these years later. Sometimes you just shake your head in wonder.

Posted by Linkmeister at June 6, 2005 01:07 PM
Comments

My wife does home care for an ALS patient...Korean War vet (Marine), used to do the Ironman on the Big Island. He was diagnosed 10 years ago, and is still doing remarkably well, though the paralysis has been moving upwards of late. He's a tough guy, though...and it's damn sad, to see someone so active end up like ALS leaves you.

Posted by: Rob at June 6, 2005 03:21 PM