Stem Cell Research? Yes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.stemcellpals.com/Advocates/index.htm


pigiron308@yahoo.com

Stem Cell Research? Yes

Contact your Representatives!
My name is Jim and I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease. My disease is 100% fatal. As a lifelong Christian I am not terribly concerned over my certain death. The victims of ALS are not very visible in our community because of the progression of the disease; it is somewhat rare, and the victims who are able to get out appear quite normal. They may have a slight limp, using a walker, or be in a wheelchair, but no one realizes they are on medical death row. The only means for a stay of execution is to go on a ventilator. Once diagnosed, the world as you knew it is gone forever.

My terminal journey began in 1999 when I noticed ordinary activities such as mowing the grass were completely exhausting. Throughout the summer of 1998 it took 45 minutes to cut the grass, by mid 2000 it would take almost 3 hours because of the numerous breaks I had to take. In the spring of 2001 my wife took on the job because I couldn't walk more than 30 or 40 steps. Numerous doctors had no idea what was happening to me. Late one afternoon my wife suggested she should take me to the emergency room. After a heated discussion off to hospital we went, because she said I looked bad--of all things. She got me situated at the admitting desk and went to park the car. While she was gone I stopped breathing. I awoke 5 days later, permanently on a ventilator. I can truthfully say, if my wife had not been so persistent, I would have died around 5:30pm May 17, 2001.

ALS affects every victim differently. I know of several victims who noticed a slight unusual weakness and within 8 months they were unable to move, not even open their eyes. When the progression is this fast, within a very few months you are faced with making a decision that only "other people have to make." Are you going to be placed on a ventilator? You have no idea whether the disease’s progression will plateau, be a slow steady decline, or accelerate. Financial concerns, family stress, mobility, and medical care are some of the factors on one side of the balance scale with certain death on the other. The two individuals that I referred to--one opted not to vent and promptly died, the other went on a vent to live until his youngest child graduated from High School. This individual was totally paralyzed, unable to even open his eyes for 3 years, but the goal was achieved. As he wished a few months after graduation the vent was withdrawn. This disease does not affect your mind or your hearing but over time your body becomes completely useless. ALS may well be the cruelest disease on earth; this is arguable because there are all too many torturous fatal diseases. Don't ever think it can't happen to you, as I once did.

Why am I writing this? I do not need money but I would like everyone think about the politicians who are restricting or wish to outlaw the most promising research to treat or cure not only ALS but many other diseases. Scientists believe stem cell research could provide treatments for more than 70 diseases and conditions, including: Alzheimer's, Arthritis, Cancer, Heart disease, Hiv/Aids, MD, MS, Parkinson's, Spinal Injuries, Type 1 & 2 Diabetes, to name just a few. These politicians claim there is a moral issue. Isn’t that the pinnacle of hypocrisy! Evangelists and church groups quote bible passages to support their anti-research positions. They select specific passages, apply them to their rhetoric, and ignore the complete picture. Somehow they overlook biblical evidence to the contrary. The Bible contains a clear picture when you accept what is written without adding personal prejudices.

Please review the material and judge this research on its Religious, Scientific, and Political merits. The information is as accurate as I can possibly make it. I have spent many hours researching and preparing this material. My activities are limited to my computer but it allows me to study issues many people simply do not have time to research. It gives me something to do and being able to share my discoveries with you is another blessing from science. That's my story; please help me prevent it from becoming your story, or the story of a member of your family, a loved one, or a friend!

Be well,



Jim

http://www.stemcellpals.com/Advocates/index.htm
__________________