Georgetown Township family honored for its role in fight to cure ALS
Posted by Chronicle News Service April 24, 2008 09:41AM
Categories: Breaking News

Chronicle News Service/Noel A. Webley II


Family time: The Fox family, of Georgetown Township, has been named "ALS Across America" family for the Michigan chapter for ALS. Eric Fox, a Gulf War vet who has ALS, is surrounded by his family, from left, Madison, 4, Zachary, 11, and his wife, Lori.
Eric Fox keeps a text and audio blog of his journey with ALS

GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP — Eric Fox knows that chances are he won't be around to see his two young children graduate high school, or to grow old with his wife, Lori, the way they planned as Michigan State University students in the early 1990s.

Then again, he might.

"I'm not just going to give up," said Fox, 38, who has ALS. "I want my kids, my wife, my friends and my family to know I went out fighting for a cure."

Those who don't know him also are benefiting from his resolve toward dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — also known as Lou Gehrig's disease — a progressive, neurodegenerative muscular disease that usually is fatal within two to five years.


His determination and his family's willingness to get behind his efforts have earned them accolades from the Michigan chapter of the national ALS Association as "ALS Across America" family during National ALS Awareness Month in May.


"Eric having a good spirit helps us focus on all the days we have to spend as a family," Lori Fox said.

The designation recognizes those with ALS and their caregivers who are role models to others with the disease. Each of the association's 41 chapters is invited to designate a family.

The Foxes will travel to Washington, D.C., May 11-13 for the association's national ALS Awareness Day and Public Policy Conference, where Eric Fox hopes to speak before up to 1,000 people, including those with ALS and their families.

He also will meet with members of Congress to "keep them on their toes, let them know I'm here and encourage them to keep up the good fight," Fox said.

Since he was diagnosed in 2004, the Foxes have worked hard to help the ALS Association defeat the disease, which affects about 30,000 in the U.S.

"(Fox) is willing to do anything, anywhere, anytime for us," said Stacey Chase, executive director of the ALS Association's Michigan chapter. "Anyone who meets Eric or has heard him speak is forever changed."

Chase said Fox also is a "perfect face" for the disease among his fellow Gulf War veterans. A 2003 study reported a higher prevalence of the disease among Gulf War vets.

Eric Fox has lost most of the use of both his hands and relies on his wife and children, Zachary, 11, and Madison, 4, to help with his daily needs.

But the former administrative assistant at Wellspring Community Church in Hudsonville still manages to spend his days volunteering for the Michigan ALS association and writes letters to members of Congress, neurologists and others.

He makes phone calls and composes e-mails with the use of an adaptive telephone and voice-activated computer equipment.

"Sometimes he gets frustrated with the computer and I come in and see him typing with his nose," Lori Fox said.

He also speaks to schools and corporations -- his efforts resulted in the award of a $10,000 grant to the chapter -- and he and his father-in-law, Holland photographer Steve Kameraad are working on a DVD that documents what it is like to live with the disease.

Also, at the chapter's Walk to Defeat ALS fundraiser in August, the Fox family recruited nearly 100 walkers who raised $14,000 for services, programs and research, the most for any family team in Michigan.

It's a lot to take on for Fox, who tires easily because of the disease but finds his efforts fulfilling.

"My body has changed, but my mind is still the same," he said. "I figure, why not be an advocate? Why not try to find out what's causing this so we can put it to rest?"

http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008...amily_hon.html