Greensboro Teacher Battles Lou Gehrig's Disease
Posted by: Kerri Hartsfield

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Greensboro -- It started with a twitch in his arm. Three years later, Joe Bozovich, who suffers from ALS, can barely move his body.

"I was always on the go," said Bozovich, referring to life before ALS took over his body. "There was no place that I would rather be than in the classroom."

Bozovich, a teacher at Bluford Elementary in Greensboro, says the disease forced him to leave the classroom in February. "I think that was harder than the ALS," he said. "When I told my children I was leaving, I cried and cried and cried."

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." The disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a loss of muscle control and movement. It can also cause paralysis and death.

"Other than it was called Lou Gehrig's disease, I didn't know much," said Bozovich, who was diagnosed in 2005. He says the disease has rendered his arms and legs useless and impaired his speech. "People look away, but I want people to know about the disease and not be afraid. I'm still the same guy. I'm still Joe."

Symptoms of ALS include muscle weakness in the hands, arms legs or muscles of speech, swallowing or breathing, according to the ALS Association. Other symptoms include twitching and cramping of muscles, trouble using arms and legs, and difficulty speaking.

"The only thing it doesn't affect is my mind," said Bozovich. "I'm still sharp."

Although the disease can be fatal, Bozovich says remains focused on living. Last February, he traveled to Paris with family and friends and roamed the streets in his wheelchair. "I'm not going to give up," he said. "I've got things to do, places to go and people to see."

This summer, Bozovich plans to participate in an ALS walk to raise money for research.



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