You might remember I recently wrote about someone who had contracted ALS in the last year and was fading fast. ALS will do that to a person.
That column, Hope Springs Eternal, was published March 20, a few days before the annual Evening of Hope, one of Milwaukee’s premier social events and the signature fund raising event of the ALS Association Wisconsin Chapter.
I lamented in that post that I wouldn’t see my friend again, that the disease which he had contracted a year earlier had taken too much of a toll on him, making it virtually impossible for him to travel at all.
Much to my surprise, I found out the day before the Evening of Hope that he had decided to attend the event, being determined to not let his deteriorated condition keep him from one more public appearance. I was blown away, and thrilled I would get to see him one more time.
We first saw each other from opposite ends of a hallway outside the ballroom at the Hyatt Downtown. His family was pushing his wheelchair towards the cocktail party, in an effort, I found out later, to find me.
I didn’t know it yet, but the only movement he was capable of was his left leg. ALS had rendered everything else useless. Except his brain, of course, which was still functioning at 100 percent.
As our eyes met, I could see his eyes brighten, and I began to tremble. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to hold back the tears when we came together.
And then something incredible happened. He stuck out his left leg toward me and wiggled his foot, and I instantly knew he was using it to talk, saying “there you are, you old fart!” Yes, he had used that term quite frequently to describe me.
I bet my smile could have lit up the room.
Him attending the event was one of the most amazing acts of courage I have ever witnessed. He was a very proud man, and I know it was brutally difficult for him to allow people to see him in his condition, confined to his wheelchair, unable to speak or move anything but his left leg. But he felt being there would somehow help the cause. I will always admire him for that.
His name was Bob, by the way. And I’m sad to say we lost Bob last Friday.
Of course you could say that he’s in a better place now, and to be honest I almost buy that because of the incredible suffering he endured. Nonetheless, it infuriates me that this vicious disease can conquer a life so quickly.
But the ALS Association continues to fund research in the hopes of finding a cure for this horrific disease. With the Evening of Hope. With four ‘Walks to Defeat ALS” throughout the year. And with many other educational and care-oriented services. You can find out more about their efforts here: http://www.alsawi.org/
Bob left quite a legacy. A legacy of determination. A legacy of a loyal and loving family. A legacy of wonderful wit. A legacy of courage.
I will never forget seeing him wave that left foot. And that will always make me smile, which is what he would have wanted.
I’ll miss you, you old fart.
