ALS sufferer fights for a cure

Mon, June 23, 2008

MIND OVER MATTER: Mario Vella's body is wasted by ALS, but his mind and spirit are an inspiration






By JOE BELANGER



Mario Vella's magic just keeps churning along, 12 years after he was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

At 11 a.m. today, the London man's indomitable spirit will have prevailed to contribute another $30,000 or so to the second-biggest battle of his life -- finding a cure for the disease that's slowly killing his body, but can't touch his mind.

Today marks the ninth annual Mario Vella's Fight Against ALS Invitational Golf Tournament at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, an event that has raised more than $200,000 toward ALS research led by Michael Strong at the Robarts Research Institute in London.

"I just keep doing what I'm doing and let the doctor do what they do," said Vella, 37, who has never played in the tournament.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a usually-fatal disease that destroys the body's nerve cells that control movement, causing muscles to deteriorate.




The disease usually claims its victims within three to five years, but Vella's excellent physical condition and youth (he was diagnosed at age 25) has helped the father of an 11-year-old girl, Kennedie, keep battling.

Vella, whose slurred speech is interpreted through a personal care worker, requires round-the-clock care, getting around in a walker to exercise his legs and a wheelchair.

A committee with a core group of eight people and a large number of other volunteers has helped to keep the fundraiser alive.

About 2,000 Canadians suffer from ALS, the ALS Society of Ontario says, but the number is growing as the baby boom generation ages.


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