Floridian/U.S. Army vet to spread awareness about ALS
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com


An Army Veteran with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) will travel to the nation's capitol by wheelchair to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Wheelchair-bound Ken Patterson, a man living despite having ALS, also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, will embark on a 20- day trek traveling by wheelchair to deliver a message to Congress: Veterans are two times more likely to be diagnosed with the progressive, neurodegenerative muscular disease than those with no history of military service.

On April 19, Patterson will begin the 940-mile journey at Orlando, Florida's Blue Jacket Park.

The journey will commence immediately following The ALS Association Florida Chapter's Annual Walk to Defeat ALS. The walk will raise money for research and patient services for people living with ALS in Florida. Patterson will cover nearly 1,000 miles beginning on April 19 and will conclude at the nation's capital on May 11. May is National ALS Awareness Month.

A U.S. Army veteran who specialized in safety training, Patterson, 39, will attend The Association's National Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., where he will visit his elected officials and advocate for issues directly affecting ALS patients. Although ALS can strike anyone regardless of age, sex or origin, those who have served in the military are at a greater risk of developing the disease.

The fatal neurodegenerative disease is striking at our nation's heroes the hardest. However, the reasons are not known at this time.

The chapter has proclaimed Patterson and his caregiver, Glenda Patterson, the two people in Florida who best exemplify the spirit of "ALS Across America" during ALS Awareness Month. The national campaign recognizes courageous individuals with ALS and their caregivers who are role models to people with Lou Gehrig's Disease. These special individuals reflect the spirit of the organization as they make a positive difference in their community by expanding awareness of ALS and embodying the spirit of living life to the fullest.

The 20 days of travel will take Patterson through cities and military installations between Orlando and Washington D.C., as he educates others about ALS. Patterson also plans to meet other patients living with ALS along the way and carry their messages to Capitol Hill.

Patterson plans to film the journey and use the footage to inform and educate people about the disease.

"The tour is not a fundraising event: it is strictly intended to raise awareness for people with ALS," Patterson said. "However, we realize that we need financial assistance to make it happen and have collaborated with The ALS Association Florida Chapter to establish a research grant with any monies remaining after the tour."

Throughout ALS Awareness Month, The Association and its nationwide network of 41 chapters will reach out to communities across the country to educate the public about Lou Gehrig's Disease and urge people to join The Association in the fight to make ALS a disease of the past.

The Association's National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference, which has grown to be the single largest gathering of the ALS community, and is part of ALS Awareness Month, will be held this year on May 11-13 in Washington, D.C.

The Association is the preeminent leader in the fight against Lou Gehrig's Disease. The mission of the organization is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig's Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

ALS is a neuromuscular disease with no known treatment or cure. It robs the body of the ability to walk, speak, and eventually breathe.



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