Brian Hill dies - he blogged about his illness
Chronicle Staff Report

Monday, February 25, 2008

http://brainhell.blogspot.com/

A memorial service was held Sunday for Brian Hill, a Bay Area writer who documented his four-year struggle with ALS in a heart-wrenching blog.

Mr. Hill, 44, died Feb. 2 at his Albany home with his wife, Mary Rees, and his sister, Carolyn Hill, at his side.

Mr. Hill was born in San Jose and attended UC Berkeley, where he received a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in journalism. For several years, Mr. Hill worked as a reporter, columnist and editor at the Daily Californian.

He wrote for several Bay Area publications before switching careers and becoming a computer programmer and software engineer in the mid-1990s. He worked for EMC Documentum in Pleasanton until becoming ill.

He also wrote poetry and short stories, Rees said.

A graceful writer, Mr. Hill began his blog in December 2003 as physicians were diagnosing why "my left arm and leg are ... acting funny. Lazy. Tingly. I have noticed myself stuttering, using the wrong word sometimes (broccoli instead of ravioli), slurring words, and 'mix-mashing' syllables ... or just not remembering the word I need. I counted this up to getting older and having two small children."

He was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, on Jan. 13, 2004. Readers of his blog discovered a rare personal account that chronicled one man's eloquent journey through the maelstrom of an incurable and fatal disease.

"I went public because I wanted to be there in case other people diagnosed with ALS searched for a blog about having the disorder," Mr. Hill, who kept his identity out of the blog, told The Chronicle in 2005. "I had searched and found data, but not daily personal accounts. And I had faith that strangers would bring me useful information and support, which they have."

The illness also opened new doors for Mr. Hill.

"Not long after his diagnosis, he felt a greater connection with soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq and started up a correspondence, sending DVDs and books," Rees said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Hill is survived by his son, Joseph Hill, 8; his daughter, Elinor Hill, 5; his parents, James and Marie Hill of San Jose; and sisters Carolyn Hill of Rodeo and Susan Francks of Gilroy.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS division, 3300 East Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718-3299, or the ALS Association, 565 Commercial St., Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../BAREV7S48.DTL