A diagnosis of ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, can leave little room for hope. There are few treatments and no known cure. But when successful lawyer and family man Jim Wallace was diagnosed three years ago, he was determined to keep his outlook positive.

He wasn't going to die with ALS, he was going to learn how to live with it.

As a partner at the law firm of Bowditch & Dewey, Wallace specializes in employment law and litigation. But what he enjoys the most is giving back.

"The favorite part of my job is dealing with the individuals I deal with, the clients. And helping solve their problems," Wallace said.

In 2004, Wallace was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that causes the motorneurons controlling voluntary muscle movement to die. Most ALS patients are given three to five years to live. But even with such sobering news, Wallace said he decided to face his ailment with determination.

"It is what it is, that's what I got. Now deal with it. So that's what I've done," Wallace said.

"Had I gotten the diagnosis, I'm not sure what I would have done. Sometimes I think I would have just gone upstairs, put the covers over my head and said I just don't want to deal with this," said Wallace's wife, Jane. "But for four years it's been increasingly more difficult for him to get to work, to get ready for work, to do work. He does it."

Wallace continues to work at the level of excellence he's known for.

"Jim is still, in my opinion, and I think in the opinion of a large segment of the business community, one of the best if not the best employment lawyer," said Lou Savara, the managing partner Bowditch & Dewey.

Jonathan Sigel, Wallace's colleague, lost his father, Mort, to ALS in 2006.

"Jim was a great support for me and my family. Even though he had to, and is struggling with this illness as well," Sigel said. Wallace was honored at the MDA's first annual "Evening Of Hope" with the spirit award for his determination to fight ALS through raising awareness and money for patient care and research.

Wallace and his wife credit the MDA with helping them adjust to life after his diagnosis.

"They treat me as well. There isn't a time that ever goes by that someone doesn't make time to talk with me and ask me how I am doing, and what I might need to help support him, or what they can do to help me," Jane Wallace said.

"It's important to raise money to help people who have ALS now. Not just to prevent it in the future but to take care of people who have ALS now. Not just the people with ALS, but their caregivers and their families," Wallace said.

http://news.yahoo.com:80/s/wcvb/2007..._wcvb/14022713

ON SEPTEMBER FIFTEENTH I WILL BE IN THIS WALK

Dear Family and Friends,

Dust off your walking shoes! I am writing today to invite you to support a very important and exciting event, The ALS Association - Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter's 2007 Walk to D'Feet ALSŪ.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal neuromuscular disease that can strike anyone without warning. Every 90 minutes someone in this country will be diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes someone will lose their battle against this devastating disease.

The Walk to D'Feet ALSŪ is The ALS Association's national signature event. Each year, nearly 100,000 patients, men, women, children and corporations join together to raise funds in support of internationally driven cutting-edge ALS research and community-based patient services programs. Now in its eighth year, approximately 150 Walks will be held around the country in 2007.

As a participant of the 2007 Emerald Isle Walk, I am asking for your support by making a gift to The ALS Association or by joining me as a participant on Walk Day.

In 2007, I will Walk in honor of ME because I have ALS.

Supporting and joining the Walk to D'Feet ALSŪ is very easy! Simply click on the link below to visit my personal fundraising page and donate directly online or join me as a Walk participant.

You may also choose to send your contribution in the form of a check. Please make all checks payable to The ALS Association and send them to me at the following address:

Laura Knott Weidenhamer
115 Plantation Circle
Beaufort, NC 28516

Thank you again for supporting me in the fight against ALS. I appreciate your generosity and participation and will continue to update you with my progress as Walk Day nears.

Sincerely,
Laura Knott Weidenhamer
Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?px=13460...&s_tafId=21120
Click here to view the team page for evan's army
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?team_id=...&s_tafId=21120


Laura Weidenhamer
Als Dx 11/04-BiPap 08/05, moved to NC from MI 12/05, peg 1/06