Friends turn out to help man who helped others



By JOY DRENNEN, For The Globe Gazette

CLEAR LAKE — Craig and Linda Humburg’s friends are grateful to help a man who has helped so many others.

A project is under way to build a wheelchair-accessible addition to the Humburg home.

Craig Humburg was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the spring of 2006 and given three to five years to live. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It affects voluntary movements and muscle power but not the heart and digestive system which function automatically.

So far, the disease has mostly affected Craig’s upper body. A recumbent bicycle works different muscles in his legs, he said.

Craig said help is hard to accept help from others, but there has been an overwhelming response and support, particularly from his church, Zion Lutheran in Clear Lake.

“The whole thing is beyond anything I could ever have expected. It’s hard to accept, hard to believe,” said Craig.

When Becky Person, Linda’s close friend, heard about the need she called Zion member Jim Hunt. “We just wanted to make sure they’re ready to accept help,” Person said.

The Rev. Dean Hess of Zion announced plans for the addition and Hunt agreed to coordinate the project. Hunt has helped with donations and has arranged for workers for the addition. The plan is to have the addition weather-tight and enclosed this month with work then progressing inside.

Hunt said Zion’s congregation is great as far as helping people out. Most people helping with the addition want to stay anonymous, he said.

The addition is 16 feet by 28 feet and will have a large living space and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Two doors and a ramp will give Craig access to the downstairs.

“It’s the only way I would be able to stay home,” Craig said.

Russell Rayburn, a friend of 30 years who shares Craig’s love of bicycling, said he is impressed at his ability to deal with the news of the diagnosis. He is amazed at Craig’s empathy for others and his ability to see outside of himself.

Rayburn said work on the addition “has given the rest of us the opportunity to let him know how good he is.”

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to let him know what he’s done.”

A carpenter, Craig worked until January when doctors noted that work was doing more harm than good. It was time to pay attention to fatigue, which could result in a muscle tear that wouldn’t repair itself, Craig said.

“I always worked with my hands,” said Craig. “Basically, I’m not going to sit in the house.

“It’s about quality of life. I’m not going to let it limit me.”

Craig and Linda attend support groups in Algona and Waterloo and have learned a lot from other people, he said. The Humburgs have two sons, Derek and Luke. Derek has completed schooling at North Iowa Area Community College in building trades. Luke is a senior in high school.

“When I started the project, as soon as people knew who it was for, they said, ‘I need to help,’ ” Hunt said. Craig is well known in town, said Hunt, adding that, “After a hard day at work, Craig would jump on his bicycle just to relax and spent his evenings helping neighbors.”

A Craig Humburg Benefit Account has been established at Manufacturers Bank & Trust in Clear Lake. A fundraiser was held this year, Hunt said. The addition will go forward as funds become available.

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