To Your Health: Understanding the hurdles others face

By GILLIAN SLADE on July 15, 2019.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

Most of us have heard about ALS and perhaps have a vague idea of the symptoms but there is nothing quite like being close to someone who is living with it.

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease. It gradually paralyzes people when their brain no longer communicates with their muscles.

I have just finished reading a book “Every Note Played” by Lisa Genova. The lead character, a classical pianist, is diagnosed with ALS after his right arm just stops working and just hangs by his side. At first he continues playing the piano by choosing pieces that were written for the left hand. It is not long before the left arm quits.

You may be wondering why this is important if you are not dealing with ALS. It is hugely important for us to understand the hurdles others face so that we truly know what they are going through. At the very least it makes us more empathetic and we become a more caring society.

The are other aspects woven into the story including personal relationships and why it is important to keep those real, sincere and honest. You gain a new understanding of the need to not allow issues in your life to fester. Sort them out, ask for forgiveness, be forgiving, apologize and restore.

Life is too short to hold grudges and deny forgiveness. It can make you ill or exacerbate the symptoms you already have.

Life is short. Why waste it and live or die with regrets?

Genova is a neuroscientist but writes in a way that makes complex topics easy to understand.

“Every Note Played” is available at Medicine Hat Public Library and is published by Simon and Schuster.

Here’s to understanding what others are enduring and here’s To Your Health.

To Your Health is a weekly column by Gillian Slade, health reporter for the News, bringing you news on health issues and research from around the world. You can reach her at gslade@medicinehatnews.com or 403-528-8635.

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