Man with ALS draws strength from those who love him

By JOHN SKIPPER, Of The Globe Gazette

CLEAR LAKE — Craig Humburg has worked with his hands all of his life.

So when the 51-year-old carpenter noticed two years ago that there was something wrong with the way his right hand functioned, it gave him cause for concern.

“My hand didn’t work quite right. I didn’t know what was going on,” said Humburg, a 1973 graduate of Clear Lake High School.

He eventually underwent a series of medical tests until his doctor told him that all the test results were leading to the same diagnosis: Humburg had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — ALS — commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

ALS is a progressive neuro degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

“You don’t realize you have it,” said Humburg. “You have muscle twitches and stuff but you never think of ALS.”

Each case is different, he said. So far the disease has affected only his upper body. One result of that is that his tongue twitches constantly.

Humburg has not worked since January. So Saturday, friends, neighbors, relatives and well-wishers gathered for a benefit in his honor at Zion Lutheran Church.

Hundreds attended the event which featured live music, a chicken dinner with all food and beverages donated, and a silent auction.

“Overwhelming,” said Humburg as he looked at the crowd all around him.

He said he draws inner strength from his Christian faith, from his wife, Linda, and their two sons, Derek, 20, and Luke, 17, and from the outpouring of support from the community.

The disease has not prevented him from having some goals.

“Hopefully, I can have one more year of riding my bike,” he said. “And I have a lot of things I need to do yet.”

A Craig Humburg Benefit Account has been established at Manufacturers Bank & Trust in Clear Lake.

Reach John Skipper at 421-0537 or john.skipper@globegazette.com.

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