Community Corner

Local Veteran Shares Struggle with ALS

Researchers unsure why veterans have an increased likelihood of developing the terminal disease.

Veteran and native Northporter Tom Ward reentered civilian life unscathed after serving as a Marine in the mid seventies. He was the picture of health until, at age 56, he began experiencing an intense twitching in his lower extremities, severe cramping in his hands, and muscle weakness. He and his wife both knew it was ALS, but when the diagnosis came, they were in disbelief. 

"We saw so many doctors before we got the diagnosis. When we got it, it took a long time for it to settle in and for us to move forward," said Tom's wife, Mary.

ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is nearly twice as common in Gulf War veterans, occurs at a younger age, and is 60 Percent more common in other veterans regardless of where, when, and how they served, according to the ALS Association. The disease is caused by a genetic defect in 10 percent of cases and is fatal within two to five years of diagnosis, leading to slow strangulation as the brain loses communication with the muscles, from the limbs inward to the chest.

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Researchers are unsure what accounts for the high incidence of ALS among veterans, although studies suggest that environmental triggers such as exposure to chemicals or traumatic or intense physical activity associated with military service may play a role.

In a written statement on the ALS Association website, Tom said, "I served with the 2/2 comm platoon. In my family we serve our country. My father, brother, brother-in-law and uncles served and my son is active duty. I served knowing there were unknown risks. ALS is that unknown risk. If it were a known risk I still would have become a Marine for my country. I choose to live with ALS in the best way possible."

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"Once a Marine, always a Marine," said Mary. "His Marine Corps attitude doesn't let much get in his way. It has changed what he can do and he has had to change the way he conducts his life, but his attitude remains strong."

Mary knows she will eventually have to leave her teaching job to care for Tom as the illness progresses, but thankfully the burden of the expenses are shouldered by the VA. In 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs implemented regulations to establish a presumption of service connection for ALS, the most comprehensive that the VA has ever issued. As a result, veterans with ALS and their survivors are now eligible for full health care and disability benefits regardless of when and where they served or how far after service they were diagnosed.

"Those veterans who fought for those veterans who have ALS are the heroes of this story," said Mary. "Some of them died before this was even a ruling, and they kept up with the fight."

To learn more about ALS and to join the fight for a cure, or to find services in your area, visit The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter at www.als-ny.org.


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