Saturday night was glamorous. Why, you must be wondering? It was the night of the ALS Gala where the ALS association puts on an evening full of glitz and glamour, all in an effort to raise money for ALS research and care.
This is the third year I have attended. It is an opportunity to meet old friends and make some new ones. Saturday night was no exception. Laura, Jordan and I got dressed up and did our best to support the cause.
This is the third year I have attended. It is an opportunity to meet old friends and make some new ones. Saturday night was no exception. Laura, Jordan and I got dressed up and did our best to support the cause.
This Gala was memorable for two reasons. First it was attended by Anita Frates, the mother of Pete Frates. A lot of you might know the name but for those of you who do not, Pete is a celebrity in the ALS world.
You see, at the age of twenty-seven, Pete Frates, a baseball player, was diagnosed with ALS in 2013. Pete wanted to make a difference for ALS. He asked his neurologist what it would take to cure ALS? His neurologist said in a serious tone, “It will take a billion dollars to find the cure!” To which Pete said, “I will get you the money!”
Subsequently, Pete told his family and the ice bucket challenge was born. As you may know, the phenomenon went viral thanks to Pete and his family. The ALS association has received over a hundred million dollars and awareness of this quiet disease is now talked about around the world!
Anita spoke about the ice bucket challenge and Pete. It was a tearful moment when she described her son, now 30, and what he is facing today. Pete is completely paralyzed and cannot speak. The only method of communication is using his eye gaze device. As a side note, even though the eye gaze device is useful for communication, it is painfully slow and tries everyone’s patience.
You see, at the age of twenty-seven, Pete Frates, a baseball player, was diagnosed with ALS in 2013. Pete wanted to make a difference for ALS. He asked his neurologist what it would take to cure ALS? His neurologist said in a serious tone, “It will take a billion dollars to find the cure!” To which Pete said, “I will get you the money!”
Subsequently, Pete told his family and the ice bucket challenge was born. As you may know, the phenomenon went viral thanks to Pete and his family. The ALS association has received over a hundred million dollars and awareness of this quiet disease is now talked about around the world!
Anita spoke about the ice bucket challenge and Pete. It was a tearful moment when she described her son, now 30, and what he is facing today. Pete is completely paralyzed and cannot speak. The only method of communication is using his eye gaze device. As a side note, even though the eye gaze device is useful for communication, it is painfully slow and tries everyone’s patience.
The other reason this night was memorable was because I got to see both pulmonologists who had predicted my demise in December. They both came over to visit with me.
One of them introduced me to his wife by saying, “This is the guy I told you about, the one I said was going to die.” We both smiled and he said, “I think you lived just to make me look bad (smile).” He graciously posed with me for this picture.
One of them introduced me to his wife by saying, “This is the guy I told you about, the one I said was going to die.” We both smiled and he said, “I think you lived just to make me look bad (smile).” He graciously posed with me for this picture.
I am writing this for one reason. As I stand back and look at the events that are unfolding in front of me, I can see God’s hand in everything. The way He made the Ice Bucket Challenge a phenomenal success and how He saved my life in December.
When I think about it, I don’t know why I tried to take control. If I just sit back and trust Him, everything works out. I act as if I don’t know God although He has always taken care of me and made sure I had everything I needed. I am embarrassed to make this confession to you.
I hope I am not alone in this struggle. Being in control or giving up control is quite a battle. Maybe you can help me with some advice on how you let go and stop trying to grab the steering wheel.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
When I think about it, I don’t know why I tried to take control. If I just sit back and trust Him, everything works out. I act as if I don’t know God although He has always taken care of me and made sure I had everything I needed. I am embarrassed to make this confession to you.
I hope I am not alone in this struggle. Being in control or giving up control is quite a battle. Maybe you can help me with some advice on how you let go and stop trying to grab the steering wheel.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
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