ALS- Neuro Note #5

  For my post I read the blog post titled "The Diagnosis", this blog is written by a woman who shares her life experiences after she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In this post the author, Rachel Doboga, recalls what the weeks and months were like after her initial ALS diagnosis. To begin her story, she shares with her readers the message she sent her family and friends and tells them how she is hopeful that she will outlive the typical 2-5 year prognosis because of her lower motor neuron function being preserved in her case more than in typical cases of ALS. What stuck out to me the most from this message is that even though she was sharing with her loved ones how she was diagnosed with a terminal disease, she still was able to divert attention from herself and show gratefulness to the people who were taking care of her. She then goes on to write more of what life was like after those first fateful weeks; including how she was directed to go to a ALS clinic every three months where she then met her new care team consisting of a doctor, social worker, occupational therapist, and physical therapist. What caught my attention from this part of her story is the relationship that bloomed with her occupational therapist, Deb.

    I choose to write about this resource because of how Rachel described how even though her OT was the last member of her careteam she met that day at the clinic, Deb was the one who really pushed Rachel to rise up to all of the new challenges placed upon her and show her that her life was still worth fighting for. I loved this story because it was a eye opening way for me to take the information I have learned in Neuro Aspects about ALS and see from a firsthand perspective the healing and encouragement occupational therapists offer their clients. The mindset shift Deb was able to provide Rachel with on her thoughts regarding the clinic is just one of the many reasons I believe OTs are so important when treating any client with a neurodegenerative disease; rather that be the OT helping them with task modification or if the client just simply needs to have someone in their corner. I strongly recommend this blog to my fellow classmates because it was a wonderful to be able to read a first-hand testimony of the beauty of our profession. 

Doboga, R. (2016, May 21). The Diagnosis. How I Live Now: Life With ALS. August 21, 2023, https://howilivewithals.com/2016/05/21/the-diagnosis/