Eighth-grader takes on ALS to help his grandmother
By PETE KENDALL Cleburne Times Review © 2008 The Associated Press
Oct. 12, 2008, 10:02AM


GODLEY, Texas — When Godley eighth grader Riggin Cleveland learned about grandmother Barbara Turner's debilitating illness last spring, he reacted predictably.

As she suffered with incurable Lou Gehrig's disease, he suffered with her, becoming quiet and withdrawn.

That changed this summer when he devised a plan to help his grandmother and other ALS patients.

In so doing, he also helped himself, becoming a positive role model for family members and friends and everyone in his community.

Over two recent weekends, he spearheaded fundraising efforts that produced $2,600 for ALS research. On Oct. 18 at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, Riggin will take part in a walk-run fund drive. All the money will go to the ALS Foundation.

Riggin and his grandmother no longer communicate by conventional methods — Turner's speech is slurred because of her illness — but she's aware of what he's doing to defeat ALS.

"She's very proud of me," Riggin said, "and she loves me. She sends me e-mails. She's hoping we can raise enough money for ALS research."

The family learned about Turner's ailment in April, said daughter Dani Hood.

"Her speech had been slurred for about a year, and we didn't know what was wrong. We went to eight different doctors over a year's time.

"In April, she was sent to a neurologist in Fort Worth. He was unsure what was wrong, so he pulled in two more neurologists. They confirmed it."

"It" wasn't a common variety of ALS.

"She actually has a rare form in what they call the bulbar in the thoracic area," Hood said. "It affects speech, swallowing and breathing."

Tests are ongoing to determine if the malady is genetic.

"There are several genes that can be genetic. We've done one test which came back negative," Hood said. "My mom's doctor has done research himself on tissue donated by someone with ALS."

Riggin was devastated by the news of his grandmother's disease.

"Riggin and GG (Turner) have always been close," Hood said. "When Riggin first found out, he was upset and quiet. He's the most positive person I've known in my life, but there were times he would be distant and go back to the bedroom and cry.

"It was so painful for him, overwhelming. That's when we decided to put our energy in a different direction."

Riggin took a positive approach.

"Mom told me about the disease," he said. "I decided to look it up and found out how cruel it is, that it takes away the ability to walk, talk, move and eat on your own. I started raising money so the ALS foundation can find a cure for it. We want to raise as much as we can in the walk-run."

The walk-run is an ideal fundraising vehicle for Riggin.

"He's a runner," Hood said. "He has a private track coach at TCU. When he found out about the ALS walk-run, he was all for it."

In fundraising efforts outside area stores, he's been joined by brother Colton Cleveland, cousins Garrett and Taylor Murdick, and such friends as Dustin Ramirez, Austin Upchurch, Kelli Birchfield and Abby and Emily Beloney. All appear on the fast track to salesmanship prowess.

"They never sit down," Hood said. "They don't go in the stores to cool off. They don't ask, 'Would you like to donate?' They say, 'Can we count on your donation?' They explain that Riggin's grandmother has the disease. They've educated themselves about it. Then they'll help the people unload their groceries. They're just really good kids."

For Turner, the story doesn't figure to have a happy ending.

"Riggin knows there isn't a cure for ALS," Hood said. "He's doing this for others so there can be a cure for them."

In the meantime, Hood said, Riggin won't give up. "He's a sweet, hardworking kid."

His grandmother has been there for him. It's his turn to be there for her.

"She's always at my games or wherever I am," he said. "We can't talk as much now because we can't understand her as well. I talk to her about how her day was. I tell her I love her."

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