Me and ALS
  • Home
  • Akhil
  • Laura
  • About Us
  • History
  • Help!
  • Health Update
  • Videos

Courage Comes in Different Forms

5/18/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
When I was first diagnosed with ALS, I thought I was courageous. I thought I knew what courage was. All that changed when I met the people in the ALS support group. This post is about the different forms of courage I witnessed.

Attending support group meetings is great for many people.   Some attend because they need to feel that they are not alone in their journey.  Others are seeking to solve problems they are facing that those further along in the disease progression can answer.  

A few may enjoy attending for the social aspects and the connections. Perhaps some look forward to attending because they can solve problems for those not as far along in the disease.  One person even shared that attending the meetings makes them feel “normal” because in the support group “normal” is living with disease.  

Picture
Whether an individual chooses to attend or chooses not to attend support group, some level of courage is involved.  I avoided attending the ALS support group meeting for three and a half years. My wife wanted me to attend so I relented even though I thought it was not in my best interest. 

I saw people in wheelchairs unable to communicate without an assistive device.  All of them had to attend the meeting with a caregiver; they were not capable of attending alone.  

It was a picture of my future.  It may have even been a picture of my present situation although I refuse to acknowledge that!  I realized I should have had the courage to attend sooner so I could have been an encourager to others but it is not too late!  

Picture
I was amazed at the courage of those in attendance who were early on in the disease progression.  They had the courage to face their unavoidable future.  They methodically gathered facts and suggestions without displaying any sorrow about what their future looked like. 

While I admire them for being able to confront their situation head-on, I think that it is a battle that they will have to fight every day. That is why it takes  an unfathomable amount of courage!  

Picture
I was surprised by how courageous everyone was at the meeting, especially Tom.  He has lived with the disease for fourteen years and continues to be amazingly positive while finding joy where he is.  

He reminded all of us at the meeting to continue to look forward to our future because we still have good things in our lives – time with family and friends, love, laughter and more. 

(This is a picture of me with Tom.) 



Picture
I hadn’t given much thought to the courage that the spouses of those living with ALS must have.  One woman at the meeting brought up how at each phase of the disease, not only does the patient have to be willing to relinquish control but also the spouse. 

For example, when it is time for the patient to transition to a wheelchair fulltime, the spouse has to accept that along with the patient. When I transitioned to the wheelchair, my wife also had to give up her dreams of us hiking, skiing and biking together.  Not only was I losing my freedom and mobility, but in a sense, so was she and, for that matter, the entire family.  My wife had the courage to accept that and move on.

Each of us exhibits courage every day as we live with the disease choosing to make a difference in the lives of others.  Hopefully we each do that by demonstrating, how even in the midst of adversity and suffering, there is joy.  Each of us chooses to acknowledge our limitations but then move on and find ways to continue living each day to the fullest.

Courage is not the absence of fear but acting in spite of it.
  Saint Francis

2 Comments
Linda McNeley
5/18/2015 02:22:34 pm

I love reading your posts Akhil! Your every word helps others to face their fears. God has so richly blessed all of us, with you and your family, Akhil!!

Reply
Patricia
5/18/2015 03:53:56 pm

Another great blog! Thank you so much for sharing with us, Akhil! You are such a blessing and an incredible example!

Reply



Leave a Reply.




    The video is Akhil's journey with ALS.  Painful to see but the faith his family shows is uplifting.
    ​
    God continues to show his love for us through his people.  Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us, prayed for us, visited Akhil, brought us a meal and served us however God led you to serve.  Continue to follow those urgings from God in serving those who are struggling.

    Picture

    Akhil and Laura Jhaveri

    Applying the skills they've learned in over 20 years of marriage, this couple faces the challenges of ALS together. MND or motor neuron disease is deadly with no known cure.  The Jhaveri family has to endure this battle and show the world God's love!

    Archives

    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    About Akhil

    His journey is described in the "ALS and Akhil " tab

    HTML hit counter - Quick-counter.net
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.