Real questions from School Children.
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Is ALS hereditary?
Sometimes, but not all the time. Like with many other things, there is not just one type of ALS. But the one that is hereditary is more rare, meaning most of the time those diagnosed with ALS, it is not hereditary.
Is it contagious?
No, it is not contagious. We don’t know what causes ALS but are hopeful that one day doctors fill find out what causes it and find a cure.
Can you grow old with it?
A lot of it depends. Some people have grown old. A lot of it depends on the type of ALS one has, which affect whether some people grow old with it.
Can you do something about ALS?
It depends by what you mean. Can I get a chair to help me move around? Yes! Can I a get machines to help me breathe easier? Yes! Can I get other devices to help me eat, drink, and live my life? Yes! But can I make it stop? Not yet. I remain optimistic that one day doctors will find a cure.
Why aren’t there any medications?
There are still so many things that doctors don’t know about ALS. They are working really hard to find new treatments. There are some medications that can help slow down ALS, a bit, but the doctors are working hard to find even more.
If you have ALS, do you feel anything?
I feel the same things as a healthy person. Sometimes I feel my muscles tingling and twitching or my body gets sore because I can’t move well anymore.
If the nerves breakdown, can you grow new nerves?
Nerves sometimes can regrow, but with ALS the very end of the nerves separates, or die off, and that makes them hard to regrow.
What can I do to help you?
Find ways to do all the things we have always done, but just little different! We can walk with the power chair, even go the beach with bigger wheels. We can watch movies, go to the park, and watch a football game. Doing things that we always loved to do, just a bit different is a great way to help. You can always ask me if I need anything, because sometimes I do need a little help. You can also help by telling other people about ALS and sharing my story and your story, or creating a fundraiser. Your local ALS foundation may have more information on the best way to fundraise.