Helping Veterans with ALS

posted 10:53 pm Mon July 14, 2008 - Mt. Pleasant, SC
reporter: Shawn Smetana

For years, only veterans of the Gulf War suffering from ALS were provided maximum benefits from the department of Veterans Affairs. That all changed Monday, now all veterans suffering from Lou Gehrigs disease will receive full disability thanks in large part to the efforts of retired Brigadier General Tom Mikolajcik, battling the terminal disease himself.

During a conference call Monday afternoon with VA secretary James Peake, the retired Brigadier General found out his battle to bring light to this disease and its effect on veterans ended with victory.

Diagnosed in October 2003 with Lou Gehrig’s disease, General Tom Mikolajcik vowed to never quit, never give up.

"Some doctors are reluctant to tell people they have ALS cause it's a death sentence, no cause, no cure," said Mikolajcik.

Unlike his battles on front lines in the Gulf and Vietnam, this mission would take him to Washington D.C. facing a house sub-committee on Veteran's Affairs. He, like all veterans face a greater risk of developing ALS than the general public.

"Nobody knows why that is, that's why we need more awareness, more research," said Mikolajcik.

In 2001, the VA decided to offer ALS care to gulf war vets only. Mikolajcik's push resulted in policy change. Seven years later all veterans suffering from ALS, regardless of when they served, will receive all services the VA provides.

"Everybody treats adversity in a different way, I could put my head on my stomach and cry or I could see what I could do to help," said Mikolajcik.

Helping in so many ways, an ALS support group, and an ALS clinic all in Charleston. Now benefits for ALS veterans across the country.

U.S. Representative Henry Brown, who also fought for this change says it's doubtful this could have been accomplished if not for the work of Tom Mikolajcik. His work not done, Mikolajcik says he plans on heading back to Washington D.C. to push for an ALS task force.

http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0708/535840.html