Personal Story

I am LIVING with ALS. It's been almost 6.5 years since my diagnosis.

Positivity: Maintaining one's positive outlook as the challenges seem to keep coming can be difficult. I realize I am one of the fortunate ones as my ALS is a slow progressing form. But, from the first day after my diagnosis, I would be honest and open with myself and with others about what I am going through.

Additionally, there was really only one thing about this that I could control. That one thing was my attitude and the way I will handle this challenge. I accepted that this was the hand of cards that I was dealt. I knew there was no cure. So, I've played each card I was dealt like I had a handful of aces. I learned that I maintained a positive attitude when I engaged with people every chance I got. I would be energized by their kindness, compassion, and their willingness to help. There are some really kind people in this world.

I had to retire early due to the ALS was beginning to make it unsafe for me to remain on the job. Soon after, I developed a new hobby - rock painting. My style was a little different than some as I wrote motivational messages on my rocks. I would "plant" the painted rocks as I traveled around the neighborhood, just "hiding" the rocks where they could be seen and read. My objective was to get a reaction from the finder, a smile, a laugh, or perhaps a tear or two. If the message spoke the finder's heart, they could take the rock for themselves. If they knew someone who they thought needed it more, they would take the rock and deliver it to whoever needed. But, if the message didn't connect, the viewer could simply move on. I also give the rocks to the children at church. And finally, I mail or give them to my friends who I know or the friends who I haven't actually met yet. The rocks can express thanks, or stay strong, or you make a difference. They simply serve as a "pick me up" to the receiver. As much as my painted rocks hopefully provides joy to the recipient of one of my rocks, I get the most joy by being the giver. And that joy helps me to forget for a while that I'm LIVING with ALS.

I hope this reply helps to lift up anyone who needs lifting.

Randall Keen