Roanoke educator shares his story

March 8, 2009

VIDEO


**** Kelley worked for the Roanoke City school system for 25 years. He's now learning to live with a disease that will most likely kill him in a few years.

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President Obama is expected to lift the ban on embryonic stem cell research Monday.

The move is being praised by supporters, especially those suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, including a well-known Roanoke educator.

**** Kelley worked for the Roanoke City school system for 25 years. He's now learning to live with a disease that will most likely kill him in a few years.

Lou Gehrig's disease is named after the baseball great. It's a disease of the nervous system that impairs muscle movement.

Kelley already has to use a walker at times and has trouble getting up and down the stairs, but he remains upbeat.

"I had my old life where I was able to do things; obviously I can't do those things anymore, so it's no sense worrying about those things, so now I have a new life and new opportunities," says Kelley.

Lou Gehrig's disease affects about 30,000 Americans. There's now known cause or cure. Typically, those who have it, die within three to five years.

Kelley can still workout, but over time the disease will lead to paralysis.

"I think everyone is afraid of dying," says Kelley. "[Somebody] asked me, 'Are you afraid?' I said, the only thing I'm afraid of is needles and my urologist."

Jokes aside, Kelley realizes a cure probably won't be found in time to save him, but he supports President Obama's decision to lift the ban on embryonic stem cell research.

"Most people know Lou Gehrig had the disease, and this is in the late 1930s, and he, of course, died of the disease," explains Kelley. "So, I think people assume modern medical science has found a cure."



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