ALS sufferers to tell stories on Web site

Nearly seven years ago Eric Barb learned that he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The symptoms were subtle at first; his hands were not as strong, and he struggled with simple tasks. Over several years his arms became weaker, and he could not hold his daughters, now 9 and 11. Now Barb, 36, cannot walk and uses a wheelchair.

But his struggle with the disease, which slowly destroys the body’s motor neurons, is not a sad one, according to him and his wife, Lisa.

His story about how the disease has changed his life will be featured today on the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Web site. The group’s nationwide campaign to raise awareness about ALS will tell the stories of 31 people living with the disease. That’s one a day during May.

To see Barb’s story go to als-mda.org. Lynn Murray, an Overland Park resident with ALS, will be featured on the Web site next Thursday.