Staying Positive

“With a disease as devastating as ALS, it is imperative for one’s peace of mind that he or she maintains a positive outlook on life, and continues to enjoy that life. There are several ways one can go about achieving that goal.

Get together frequently with friends and relatives. This will boost your morale, which will in turn make people want to visit you. Be the person they’ve known. My sister once said to me, ‘I like to visit you because I can be myself.’

Everyone needs to feel worthwhile. Helping others is the best way to maintain an optimistic view of life. This can easily be achieved by providing exposure to, and education in, the disease. Most people know little or nothing about ALS.

Go out in public, go to stores, attend sporting events, children’s activities, concerts. Visit children’s classrooms, especially if you have young children or grandchildren. Demonstrate your communication device. Let others try it. Children especially love something new. Sure, you will get stares, but they will change as people become accustomed to seeing you and getting to know you.

Freely answer questions about your ALS. The more people are familiar with a condition, the more comfortable they are with it. I never realized how much impact I would have on other people. Even with a wheelchair and breathing machine, attending grandchildren’s soccer and baseball games, classrooms and birthday parties, and putting myself out in public, I have gone from stares and avoidance, to friendships and openness. This exposure has resulted in the knowledge and self-gratitude that I have educated and exposed many people to ALS.

Another way to promote a positive view of life is to write a memoir. I placed much thought into the project of writing one. Only when I reached an acceptance point in the disease, could I begin. Writing “A New Reality: My Life with ALS” was a wonderful and rewarding project. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to include enough information and experiences, but the words just flowed. I awoke every morning thinking of new incidents. I included thoughts of family members, which in itself, warmed my heart. Writing the memoir reminded me of all the positive influences and events in my life, and all I had to be thankful for.

As a result of these occurrences, situations and relationships, I consider myself fortunate and maintain a positive outlook on life.”

By Eloise Lovelace, California