OutSpoken - a Column by James Clingman

I must use the privilege of this column to acknowledge the passing of one of our ALS heroes, Ady Barkan. A young, stalwart, and dedicated husband and father, Ady spent the final few years of his life fighting for those without adequate healthcare in this country. Ady…

Have you ever really thought about time? What it is and what it means? When you take a deep dive into time, you’ll find there are two dominant stages: memories of the past and aspirations for the future. The present is the stage of doing, but it is divided…

Back in middle school, I was taught that sound comprises three components: something to make the sound, something to transport the sound, and something to receive the sound. It’s been a while since I learned that, but I assume it’s still true. The principle reminds me of a related statement…

Remember “MacGyver“? In this TV series from the 1980s and early ’90s, the titular secret agent always found himself in an untenable predicament and used whatever was around him to devise a solution. Whether it was a paper clip, a thumbtack, or a toothpick, MacGyver was able to…

As I’ve pointed out several times in this column, public awareness of ALS is vital to obtaining and sustaining progress in finding solutions to the myriad issues associated with the disease. Have you ever heard of NurOwn? It’s a stem cell therapy that is being considered for…

Have you ever tried to assemble something or repair something only to finally give up and seek help? Such episodes were among my greatest frustrations before I was stricken with ALS. In retrospect, they feel like mere child’s play when compared with what I go through now. As a…

ALS patients have many wants and needs to make life a little easier and more comfortable. We know we can’t get everything, but it doesn’t hurt to try. So here it goes. Our bodies were made to move; to be active rather than passive. Lack of movement leads to…

Did you know that more than 16% of ALS patients have served in the military? Are you aware that veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as those who haven’t been in the military? If not staggering, those facts are compelling. Many theories have been put…

As I consider the progress we’ve made on ALS, I can’t help wondering if our overall awareness will continue to grow and lead us to even more sensitivity and advocacy. What real action will take place? Will initiatives be developed and sustained? Will we patients be closer to…

Yes, I know, this headline is an obvious conclusion. Yet, based on my dialogue with other ALS patients, as well as my own experience, it’s not always so obvious. In late 2009, I noticed a drop in my left foot. As it progressed, I asked our family doctor what…