Defeating ALS
Walk raising funds for ALS scheduled Friday, Aug. 10


Barb and Greg Huston invite the public to participate in the Walk to D'feet Lou Gehrig's Disease that is being hosted Friday, Aug. 10, with all proceeds benefiting the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. The Hustons are pictured with two of their three pug dogs, Mikey (left) and Lulu. Baby Pugsy was unable to be in this photo.




With use of a Dynavox device, Greg Huston is able to communicate with his family and friends. He operates the device with a "mouse" located next to his left foot. He is also able to operate a laptop computer with the use of the unique mouse.
By JANEY SAVING

For The Logan Daily News

LOGAN - Greg and Barb Huston were high school sweethearts who are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary on Aug. 7, 2007. Perhaps, you may be thinking "So - what's the big deal? A lot of couples spend more than 25 years together."

But for the Hustons, it is a miracle because Greg suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe.

He has lived with the disease for the past 14 years and that in itself is a miracle because the life expectancy of an ALS patient averages two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

According to the ALS Association, every 90 minutes a person is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose his or her life from the disease.

"Unfortunately there is no known cause, prevention or cure for ALS. It can strike anyone," said Barb Huston. "Greg was diagnosed when he was just 30 years old and is still fighting the battle. We pray for a cure, but until then we have to reach out and do all we can do to stop others - like you or your loved ones from getting this horrible disease. ALS can be inherited or can also be sporadic - it shows no mercy and can enter your life without any warning."

In order to raise awareness about Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as raising funds for the ALS Association, Barb Huston is spearheading the 'Walk to D'feet ALS' that is being held at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10.

"We invite you to put your best foot forward in the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease. Everyone is welcome to participate including youngsters in strollers, people in wheelchairs or elderly persons with walkers," said Huston. "We will depart from the Hocking County Fairgrounds and will walk to the Hocking County Courthouse and back to the fairgrounds to enjoy light refreshments and fellowship."

The Hustons are hoping that donors will give at least $25 to the walk in honor of their 25 years of marriage.

"Last year was the first year that we hosted the walk in Hocking County. I hoped that we could raise $2,000. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and the generosity of local residents we were successful in raising over $11,000 in proceeds for the ALS Association. We were astounded by that incredible tally. In fact, our community placed third in the state for the number of funds raised from one event. We surpassed Columbus and Cincinnati, we may be small and rural community but we have big hearts and genuinely care about our family, friends and neighbors.

"Of course, we would like to surpass the 2006 total but we will be pleased with whatever anyone can donate to our cause," she said.

The ALS Association reports that donations are used to continue cutting-edge research, patient education programs, support groups, equipment loan programs, referrals to ALS clinics and physicians and local and nationally-directed advocacy program.

"When Greg first began having problems, we noticed that he was losing the ability to grip with his hands. He worked for Kilbarger's and was a very good mechanic. Of course he needed the use of his hands to work on machinery or whatever needed to be fixed. He noticed that he was dropping tools and things frequently and that was when we realized that he was having trouble with his grip. From that point on Greg slowly lost the use of his arms, hands and legs altogether. In Greg's case, the disease attacked his arms and hands first, while in most cases it seems to affect their legs first," Barb Huston explained.

Greg Huston has also lost the ability to speak and must rely on a ventilator 24 hours per day to help him breathe. Lately, he has begun have trouble swallowing. Therefore his medication and 75 percent of food intake is administered through a feeding tube.

"Although he still likes Frosty milkshakes from Wendy's. That is his daily treat and he enjoys every sip," she added.

Thanks to technology, Greg has been provided a Dynavox computer that allows him to communicate with his family and friends. The device is operated by a slight touch from Greg's left foot. Although Greg's legs can no longer support his body, he does have some mobility in his feet, which also allows him to operate a laptop computer while relaxing in his recliner.

The Huston's home is also equipped with an alarm that signals his wife or a caregiver if Greg is having trouble breathing or if the ventilator is not working properly. In addition, as a result of the equipment loan program, most recently a ceiling track was installed in the Huston's home that features a transportable motor lift that enables them to move Greg from the living room to the bathroom and bedroom as needed.

"The motion to mobility device has been a true asset to me, because it was getting more difficult for me to lift and move Greg. With the use of a net and harness attached to the motor device we can move him easily," Barb Huston said.

The Hustons praised the community for their continued love and support.

"We are blessed to live in such a caring community. We are grateful to many individuals as well as Kilbarger's, Huston Equipment Repair, CVS Pharmacy, Pepsi, Kroger's and Wal-Mart for their assistance with our fundraising efforts. We must also thank the fair board for allowing us the use of the fairgrounds for the walk, to Mike Mercer Auto Sales for giving us a van several years ago and to our many family members, friends and neighbors for offering their support and friendship throughout the years.

"Now we are asking for your support to help us make this second walk as successful as the first one," Barb encouraged.

If anyone is interested in participating in the walk or would like to make a donation to the ALS, please contact Barb Huston at 385-8683. She noted that the first 200 participants will be presented ALS t-shirts and that donations may be mailed to 770 E. Main Street, Logan, Ohio, 43138.

Once the walk is over, Barb and Greg plan to take a well deserved break. They plan to rest quietly at home with their daughters, Brandy, who is a dental student at Columbus State and Heather, a hairdresser in Pickerington. Most of their free time, they spend loving their three pugs, Baby Pugsy, Lulu and Mikey.

Barb Huston said that with Greg's illness their lives have not always been easy, but it is their love and faith that keeps them going.

"Sometimes the ride has been bumpy, but God has followed us along the way and picks us up when we don't think we can take it anymore. I will never put Greg in a nursing home - I can handle it. In our wedding vows - we both promised until death us do part and we plan to honor those vows. We thank God for giving us the strength to make it through each day," she said.

When asked why Greg still keeps his beloved tools in the garage, he replies, "Because I'm going to use them again someday. I refuse to give up and pray that a cure will be found in my lifetime," he concluded.


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Senior court officer lauded for service

By Leanne M. Robicheau
VillageSoup/Knox County Times News Editor

ROCKLAND (Aug 13): That commanding cry inside Knox County Superior Court, calling "all rise" as a presiding justice enters the courtroom, will be missed.



Senior Court Officer Larry Grant, who retired July 1, was honored on Aug. 11 by Superior Court justices, Sixth District Court judges, court reporters, court clerks and fellow court officers.



Senior Court Officer Larry Grant retired July 1 after 38 years as a state worker. (Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau)


Some 80 people traveled from near and far to recognize a man who obviously touched many hearts.

Clerk of Courts Penny Reckards hosted the party that drew a crowd to her waterfront home in Friendship, where unrobed judges and courthouse personnel in casual wear weighed in on some serious matters, such as how good was the lobster — and the view.

Grant's towering height — 6 feet, 3 inches — and deep, bellowing voice echoed throughout the stately courtroom for 12 years as an unmistakable signal to all that the judge was entering or departing the courtroom.

Grant retired July 1 after serving 38 years as a state worker.

On Jan. 30, 2007, Grant toppled at the courthouse during a recess in a civil trial, breaking his hip, shoulder and wrist. He's recovering well from the fall, he said on Aug. 11, but it was not his primary reason for deciding to retire.

The previous year, Grant said, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease."

"[ALS] is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord," according to a website. "Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed."



Knox County Court justices, judges, court reporters, court clerks and court officers gather Aug. 11 to honor Senior Court Officer Larry Grant, who retired last month. (Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau)



Grant said the ALS diagnosis is the main reason for his deciding to end his career.

Grant, 64, of Warren began his 38-year tenure in January 1969 as a Maine State Prison guard. After a couple of years there, Grant moved to the Maine Warden Service and worked 24 years as a game warden.

For the past 12 years, he has had a noticeable presence in Knox County courtrooms.

"He not only cared about the courtroom and commanded respect in the courtroom, he also cared about you — all of the staff," said Clerk of Courts Reckards.

Grant was overwhelmed by the turnout at his retirement party, Reckards said. "He thought it was just going to be my office [staff]. People came from quite a distance just to say hi to him."

During the party, Grant took some ribbing from judges and other court staff, Reckards said, noting court reporter Kim McCulloch described an incident involving Grant about seven years ago.

At that time, portions of the movie "In the Bedroom," starring Sissy Spacek, were filmed inside Sixth District Court in Rockland. Grant was the bailiff and Judge Joseph Field was the judge.

"Larry, you were great in the bedroom," said McCulloch.

Grant, who was there with his wife, Doris, thanked everyone for coming. The Grants have eight grown children and five grandchildren, some of whom attended.

"I've always worked with people — the public," Grant said, talking about the high points of his career. "My primary duty was protecting the judges and the clerks."

"The best thing was trying to keep everyone as happy as I could," he said. "Nobody likes to come to court."



VillageSoup/Knox County Times News Editor Leanne M. Robicheau can be reached at 207-594-5351 or by e-mail at lrobicheau@villagesoup.com.