Still smiling despite ALS diagnosis


South Russell man hopes concert will fund a cure


By Marc Magill
Staff Writer

Nov. 9, 2006

The word "devastating" is not in Barry Winovich's vocabulary.

His optimistic attitude has not faltered since he was diagnosed six months ago with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.



Barry Winovich, center, has the support of his wife Kelly, top left, and three kids from left, Charlie, Will and Katie, in raising money to find a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease, which he as diagnosed with over six months ago. Sun photo by David Liam Kyle.
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Also called Lou Gehrig's Disease, it attacks the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. It eventually destroys parts of the nervous system that connect the skeletal muscles to the brain.

"I've always been a positive guy," Winovich, 40, of South Russell, said. "It can always be worse."

The disease has noticeably affected his speech. He struggles to button shirts or open a bottle. But he said he is not in pain and can do "just about anything."

So he did. Inspired by his parents Don and Helen, he created the Bright Side of the Road Foundation with friends and family help find funding for a cure. Research money is scarce because only 30,000 people in the United States generally have ALS at one time.

Winovich decided on a benefit concert as a fund-raiser. The First Waltz will be held from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Nov. 17 at the House of Blues in Cleveland featuring music acts Carlos Jones, Jim Miller, Dave Pearce, and Walkin' Cane.



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