Man survives, thrives despite Lou Gehrig's disease

Published: May 20, 2002

It's the one of the worst forms of muscular dystrophy - ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The disease gradually kills every muscle in a victim's body, leaving them with a brain, but no use of their body.

This month is A-L-S awareness month.

We've been following an ALS patient. He was told seven years ago he had three to five years to live. So, he's beaten the odds, but he knows it's inevitable the ALS will kill him.

Jon Fisher loves to show off his beautiful garden and the love of his life, Sue. They were high school sweethearts in Weatherford.

Seven years ago, Jon was diagnosed with ALS. Three years ago he was able to walk. Two years later, he told us he was 10 percent worse.

"I've enjoyed this past year tremendously, because I know the next year I may not be able to walk at all," he said in August 2000.

Today, 58-year-old Jon can still walk, but just barely. And now his disease has enters a scarier phase. "My voice is starting to disappear," he said.

That means his ALS is now affecting his upper body - his lungs and his breathing.

Nothing has changed between Jon and Sue. They're still the love birds they've been since the '50s. "Whatever we do, we still do it together," Sue said. "And no matter what happens, that's the way it's going to be."

Jon was a real overacheiver, owning several businesses in his career years.Aand ALS research has found that ALS patients have that in common - they're all have Type A personalities.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association wants to use ALS month to get the word out that you don't need to suffer alone. Call MDA for support and assistance. The number is (405) 722-8001.