Cecil Douglas's Fight with Lou Gehrig's Disease

Posted: July 9, 2008 08:21 AM EDT

Updated: July 9, 2008 08:23 AM EDT

Reported by: Britney Glaser

Cecil Douglas's Fight with Lou Gehrig's Disease
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For years, Cecil Douglas has helped underprivileged and disabled children have a better life through his volunteering. But now, Cecil is fighting for his own cause as he lives with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Cecil Douglas has worn many hats through the years: from plumbing pro to volunteer for handicapped children and the ever-so-popular "Grinch," Cecil has poured hours of service into our community. But a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS, put the brakes on Cecil's life as he knew it.

"I was not able to pick up a lot of things at one time and all of a sudden," says Cecil, "when I'd pick them up, my hand would release." ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually leading to paralysis. "ALS comes on very slowly," says Cecil, "you may not realize some of the symptoms until after they have happened."

Cecil's symptoms started two years ago with muscle weakness. Other common symptoms are muscle cramps and trouble speaking. Cecil's diagnosis for this cureless disease came in February of 2007. "They will not give you a time frame, because they really don't know. Each person is different," says Cecil.

The life expectancy of an ALS patient is only about three years, but Cecil has made the decision to live each day to the fullest. "You can't give up," he says, "If you give up on even the little things, then you have a tendency to go down rather fast."

Cecil's positive outlook has spilled over to Debra DeRouen, a friend turned personal care attendant for Cecil. "I just have to respect him and the way that he's stayed upbeat about this," says Debra, "and the way he doesn't give up on life. He gets up every morning and likes to go outside and see another gorgeous day."

Cecil says even though he is living with this disease, he is blessed because of the gift that he's been given. "My gift if that I've been able to help people," says Cecil.

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