Riding Sideways: my journey with als

I have been living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / AKA Lou Gehrig's Disease) for six years. The neurologist who diagnosed me said that the average time between diagnosis and death is one to three years. I had never seen a book written by a 'regular person' living with ALS. I get that. Many people would, quite literally, run out of time or they would have more urgent priorities.

Although I had spent my entire adult life working in the field of disability, I found myself continuously being surprised by the actions of people in general. The more important reason for me: I miss words! Not just being able to speak but the fluidity of speech, the reciprocity of conversation, being able to use the nuance of language , to turn a phrase. I also miss the feeling of my hands on a keyboard and the speed at which my thoughts could spill out through my fingertips. Now my thoughts are haltingly expressed through a keyboard that I operate with my eyes. It is a different experience but thank God for technology that allows me to communicate and write what you now have in your hands.

This book is a look back through the tears, and the laughter, of the last six years. My hope is that you will be reminded to treasure what is right in front of you.

---Darla