September 25, 2006 was the reopening night of the New Orleans Superdome after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the area. Former NFL player Steve Gleason will always be remembered for this night, one of the most dramatic moments in New Orleans Saints’ history, when he blocked a punt against the Atlanta Falcons, which was recovered in the Falcons’ end zone becoming the Saints’ first home game touchdown after 21 months.
In 2008, Gleason retired from football and attended Tulane University to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree. In January 2011, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), considered a terminal neuromuscular disease which stops individuals from being able to move and breathe on their own. Nearly a year after the diagnosis, Steve, along with his family and friends, founded Team Gleason, an organization whose mission is not only to raise awareness of ALS, but to also raise funds to empower those with ALS (and other muscular degenerative diseases) to live a rewarding, productive life.
Steve quotes, “I do not believe in complaining. I believe in doing. I do not believe in calling for change. I believe in making change…” Steve became determined to inspire others by continuing to pursue life adventures and has challenged the world of technology and science to identify their most promising developments toward a cure, as well as helping pALS (persons with ALS) live a productive life. He says, “Until there is a cure, I believe with the help of technology, pALS can live for decades. Maybe more importantly, I believe these pALS will make a productive impact on the world.”
Communication is a key element to our quality of life and shortly after his diagnosis Steve lost the ability to do so. However, technology gave him the ability to verbally communicate again with eye tracking technology which runs on Microsoft Surface. “They say your eyes are the window to your soul. I suppose this means that technology allows me to bear my soul. Although I am hopeful for a medical cure for ALS, I have always said until there is one, technology is my cure.”
In October 2011, (the same year as his diagnosis,) he and his wife Michel had their first child, Rivers. Steve uses technology daily to communicate with those around him. Technology also allows him to build a video journal library for Rivers. Steve has demonstrated how technology can benefit one’s quality of life and strives to make it more accessible for others living with ALS. Team Gleason is currently partnering with leading technology companies to purchase eye tracking portable computers in bulk to benefit more pALS, more quickly.
For more information, be sure to check out Team Gleason’s website and social media sites:
FlickR: TeamGleason37
Twitter: @TeamGleason
Facebook: Team Gleason
With my amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the first thing that happened almost 2 years ago now, was speaking as if I were drunk. I wasn’t. I initially did improve speech (articulating clearly but slow) but now I can no longer speak in an acceptable way. Then, a year later eating became problematic, I was biting my tongue and lips, and chewing became weak and less controlled. Soon after that some fingers started to fail me and things would drop out of my hands. Somewhere at that time bulbar ALS was diagnosed. The Rilutek (riluzole) did very little to help me. The medical team did even less. My decline was rapid and devastating.. We tried every shot available but nothing was working. There has been little if any progress in finding a reliable treatment, Our care provider introduced us to Kycuyu Health Clinic ALS/MND herbal treatment. The treatment is a miracle.i recovered significantly!
Last year, my 68-year-old partner was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease also known as ALS. Speaking and swallowing were two of his challenges. His collapse was swift and catastrophic, and neither the riluzole nor the medical staff did much to aid him. He would not have survived if our primary care physician hadn’t given him attentive care and attention, as the hospital center didn’t provide any psychological support. His fall was abrupt and catastrophic. His hands and legs gave way to weakness in his arms. This year our family physician suggested using vine health centre . co m ALS/MND treatment, which my husband has been receiving for a few months now. I’m delighted to say that the treatment greatly reduced and reversed his symptoms of ALS, he no longer requires a feeding tube, sleeps soundly, works out frequently, and is now very active. In the hopes that it could be useful, I thought I would relate my husband’s tale; in the end, you have to do what suits you the best.
My husband had ALS/MND programme about 4 months ago. he no longer requires a feeding tube, sleeps soundly, works out frequently, and is now very active. It doesn’t make the ALS go away but it did give him better quality of life. we got the treatment from vine health centre