Andy has ALS and over the past year his condition has deteriorated from a limp to needing a wheelchair full-time. He has had to make several adjustments to his home and lifestyle to accommodate his disabilities, including installing ramps and lifts. While he struggles with physical limitations like falling and difficulty moving, he remains determined to advocate for ALS research and help other patients. He serves on boards and organizes fundraisers for multiple ALS nonprofits in hopes of finding effective treatments.
This document summarizes the perseverance of three characters:
1) Jonas from "The Giver" perseveres by embracing his differences and learning about the real world.
2) Zebra perseveres through friends, family, and patience after getting hit by a dark figure while running.
3) Jimmy Valentine, a thief just out of jail, perseveres after seeing a beautiful woman, Annabel Adams, which causes him to want to change his ways and live straight.
Adele Adkins is an English singer and songwriter who has experienced both privilege and oppression regarding gender, race, and body image. Through her Instagram photos, she displays empowerment in her talents and influences while also finding enjoyment in inner peace and living in the moment. According to the symbolic interactionism theory, Adele derives meaning from her social interactions and life experiences. She acts based on these meanings while staying true to herself regardless of others' criticisms.
Aloo's mother sells their store and moves the family to a remote part of town to give her youngest children a better life. Aloo spends time with his former teacher who had moved to America and inspires Aloo to apply for universities there. Aloo is offered a scholarship but his mother refuses to let him go, accusing him of wanting to abandon her. She consults their neighbor who convinces her it's a great opportunity, though she'll miss Aloo. She agrees to send him to America if he promises not to marry an American or stay permanently. Aloo writes home from India where he's fascinated by the foreign culture during a stopover on his way to America.
1) The protagonist, Wynne Ledbetter, is a 16-year-old computer geek from a suburb of Chicago who is very good at video games.
2) Wynne leaves for New York to compete in a real-life video game challenge in order to win money to pay for his father's operation, the mortgage, and to start his own company.
3) After training for 6 months, Wynne wins the fight and achieves his goals, allowing him to help pay for his sister's recovery from drug addiction and life on the streets.
1) Alpha Chi Omega at Southeast Missouri State University holds events each year during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October to raise funds and awareness for the Safe House for Women shelter. This includes a Frisbee tournament between fraternities and a "Brewing Awareness" coffee house event.
2) The Safe House for Women provides emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other services for domestic violence victims. It began in 1991 and now includes a thrift store where women can shop.
3) Educator Kyle Riddle explained that domestic violence can include physical, emotional, and financial abuse and that it often begins at a young age through emotionally abusive behaviors meant to undermine self-esteem
Ella Fitzgerald was a famous jazz singer who was born in 1917 in Virginia. She faced many hardships early in life such as her mother dying when she was 14 and being sent to a reform school. Despite these challenges, she became the most popular female jazz singer for 50 years, winning 13 Grammies and selling over 40 million albums. Later in life, she had health issues including heart surgery, diabetes that led to both her legs being removed. Ella Fitzgerald had her last concert performance at Carnegie Hall in New York and died in 1996 in California at the age of 79.
The document provides a list of 20 books nominated for the 2013 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award along with brief 1-2 sentence summaries of each book. The award is sponsored by three Illinois organizations and honors books selected by a popular vote of students in grades 4-8 in Illinois. The books cover a range of topics including autism, the Holocaust, Japanese internment in WWII, the Cuban Missile Crisis, life in Vietnam and post-war America, and growing up in rural 1980s New Mexico.
Jodi Picoult is an American author known for writing novels that deal with ethical issues and complex family relationships. She has published 18 novels since 1992, many of which have been adapted into films. Picoult draws from multiple characters' perspectives in her stories and tackles challenging social topics through compelling narratives. Some of her most popular books that have been made into movies include My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, and Plain Truth.
This document summarizes the perseverance of three characters:
1) Jonas from "The Giver" perseveres by embracing his differences and learning about the real world.
2) Zebra perseveres through friends, family, and patience after getting hit by a dark figure while running.
3) Jimmy Valentine, a thief just out of jail, perseveres after seeing a beautiful woman, Annabel Adams, which causes him to want to change his ways and live straight.
Adele Adkins is an English singer and songwriter who has experienced both privilege and oppression regarding gender, race, and body image. Through her Instagram photos, she displays empowerment in her talents and influences while also finding enjoyment in inner peace and living in the moment. According to the symbolic interactionism theory, Adele derives meaning from her social interactions and life experiences. She acts based on these meanings while staying true to herself regardless of others' criticisms.
Aloo's mother sells their store and moves the family to a remote part of town to give her youngest children a better life. Aloo spends time with his former teacher who had moved to America and inspires Aloo to apply for universities there. Aloo is offered a scholarship but his mother refuses to let him go, accusing him of wanting to abandon her. She consults their neighbor who convinces her it's a great opportunity, though she'll miss Aloo. She agrees to send him to America if he promises not to marry an American or stay permanently. Aloo writes home from India where he's fascinated by the foreign culture during a stopover on his way to America.
1) The protagonist, Wynne Ledbetter, is a 16-year-old computer geek from a suburb of Chicago who is very good at video games.
2) Wynne leaves for New York to compete in a real-life video game challenge in order to win money to pay for his father's operation, the mortgage, and to start his own company.
3) After training for 6 months, Wynne wins the fight and achieves his goals, allowing him to help pay for his sister's recovery from drug addiction and life on the streets.
1) Alpha Chi Omega at Southeast Missouri State University holds events each year during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October to raise funds and awareness for the Safe House for Women shelter. This includes a Frisbee tournament between fraternities and a "Brewing Awareness" coffee house event.
2) The Safe House for Women provides emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other services for domestic violence victims. It began in 1991 and now includes a thrift store where women can shop.
3) Educator Kyle Riddle explained that domestic violence can include physical, emotional, and financial abuse and that it often begins at a young age through emotionally abusive behaviors meant to undermine self-esteem
Ella Fitzgerald was a famous jazz singer who was born in 1917 in Virginia. She faced many hardships early in life such as her mother dying when she was 14 and being sent to a reform school. Despite these challenges, she became the most popular female jazz singer for 50 years, winning 13 Grammies and selling over 40 million albums. Later in life, she had health issues including heart surgery, diabetes that led to both her legs being removed. Ella Fitzgerald had her last concert performance at Carnegie Hall in New York and died in 1996 in California at the age of 79.
The document provides a list of 20 books nominated for the 2013 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award along with brief 1-2 sentence summaries of each book. The award is sponsored by three Illinois organizations and honors books selected by a popular vote of students in grades 4-8 in Illinois. The books cover a range of topics including autism, the Holocaust, Japanese internment in WWII, the Cuban Missile Crisis, life in Vietnam and post-war America, and growing up in rural 1980s New Mexico.
Jodi Picoult is an American author known for writing novels that deal with ethical issues and complex family relationships. She has published 18 novels since 1992, many of which have been adapted into films. Picoult draws from multiple characters' perspectives in her stories and tackles challenging social topics through compelling narratives. Some of her most popular books that have been made into movies include My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, and Plain Truth.
1) Drew Barrymore, age 7, was promoting the movie E.T. at a mall appearance. She grew tired during the long event where she met with fans and signed autographs.
2) During her appearance, Drew comforted a lost 3-year-old boy named Aaron who was reunited with his mother.
3) Drew's mother was protective of not overworking Drew and ended the event early when Drew seemed exhausted. Drew perked up when able to shop for toys before returning home.
Kate receives messages from an unknown person demanding she meet them at a bench or there will be consequences. This upsets Kate. While waiting for the bus with her sister Lilly, Kate angrily paces before entering a dark wooded area, leaving Lilly behind. Lilly tries to follow but gets lost and falls. Kate realizes her mistake and finds Lilly crying on the ground, hugging her in relief. Kate apologizes and carries Lilly home.
Kate receives messages from an unknown person demanding she meet them at a bench. She brings her sister Lilly to the bus stop as she waits for the bus. Kate becomes upset by the messages and walks into the dark woods, with Lilly following behind out of worry. Lilly loses sight of Kate and gets lost, hurt and scared in the woods. Kate realizes Lilly is missing and panics, sprinting through the woods calling for her. Kate finds Lilly curled up on the floor and hugs her tightly, apologizing before carrying her home.
Ethnocentrism can create oppression, bullying, and assault. The document provides examples of people who were assaulted or bullied to the point of suicide because of their sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity. Ethnocentrism is an outlook where one sees their own group as central and judges other groups in comparison to it, which can lead to discrimination, prejudice, and violence against others.
This document profiles and compares two role models of the author: Angelina Jolie and Queen Latifah. It summarizes their backgrounds, including that Angelina Jolie is an actress and model born in Los Angeles who has received accolades for her acting and humanitarian work, while Queen Latifah is a rapper, singer and actress from New Jersey who has won a Grammy and been nominated for others. It notes that the author admires them both for their families and influence, with Angelina Jolie having adopted children and Queen Latifah inspiring plus-sized women.
Julian, a lumberjack, went missing in the forest one day after not returning home. His wife Hilda worried and alerted the mayor Jack Oxley. Jack searched Julian's usual spots and found his truck full of wood but no Julian. He discovered two sets of footprints leading deeper into the forest, one likely Julian's. He followed the tracks and found a cigarette butt, unusual since no one in town smoked. Further along he saw blood and tracks, unsure if Julian was attacked by animals or a mysterious visitor. Suddenly a shadow approached and Jack prepared for the worst, but it was Julian, who explained he had been talking to an out-of-town man when they were attacked by wolves, solving the
Kylie is a 16-year-old teenager who has struggled since her father died when she was young and her mother suffered from depression and went to rehab. She now lives with her aunt and grandmother but hangs out with a bad group of friends and is not doing well in school. When her friend falsely accuses her of theft, the school administrators try to motivate her by showing her future opportunities. On the same day, her mother visits for the first time in a while and Kylie decides to change her ways, focusing on her family and future instead of her old friends. The film proposal outlines Kylie's backstory and plans for the trailer to show her struggles and decision to improve herself.
This short document promotes creating presentations on Haiku Deck and sharing them on SlideShare. It features photos from three different photographers and encourages the reader to get started making their own Haiku Deck presentation.
Bob Cranmer, an Allegheny County Commissioner, grew a beard but was advised by his campaign advisors to shave it off as many voters, especially older voters and men, did not like it. While his family loved the beard, Cranmer reluctantly shaved it off due to the campaign advice. Throughout history, few US presidents have had facial hair other than eyebrows, with the last being William Howard Taft in the early 1900s. There are theories as to why politicians avoid facial hair, such as the need to maintain a clean-cut image and the challenge of maintaining and caring for facial hair on a daily basis.
Mazen Al Sayegh is a Lebanese national seeking a manager position. He has over 15 years of experience in hotel management, including roles as Restaurant Manager at the Babylon Warwick Hotel in Baghdad and Headwaiter and Senior Head Waiter at the Hilton Habtoor in Beirut. He holds degrees in Hospitality Management and Philosophy and is fluent in Arabic and English with fair French skills.
El Parque Metropolitano Albarregas es un área verde ubicada en Mérida de 612 hectáreas. Representa uno de los pocos bosques restantes en el área urbana y alberga una rica biodiversidad. Sin embargo, el parque enfrenta problemas como la contaminación del Río Albarregas, el descuido de la vegetación, la falta de mantenimiento de infraestructura y la inseguridad. Se requiere implementar un plan para mejorar las condiciones ambientales, la vigilancia y el desarrollo sustentable del parque.
This document summarizes interviews with three former railroad workers who discuss their careers working for the Union Railroad in western Pennsylvania between the 1940s-1970s. Don Waite worked as a fireman on steam engines from 1950-1958, shoveling coal to power the trains. Jess Powers also worked as a fireman in the 1940s-1950s and later held management roles. Eddie Waruszewski held various roles in Pittsburgh train yards and stations from 1937-1974, including sorting mail and working in reservations. The interviews describe the physical demands of working with steam engines and how jobs changed with the transition to diesel engines in the 1950s. All three took pride in their railroad careers and enjoyed sharing stories about their experiences.
1) Andy was diagnosed with ALS less than a year after a frustrating vacation. He maintains a healthy tan and complexion through drinking a daily gallon of carrot-parsley-wheat grass juice.
2) Andy takes a rigorous approach to his health through an antioxidant-rich diet, supplements, and alternative therapies in an effort to slow the progression of ALS and extend his life.
3) Doctors have not recommended Andy's specific health regimen. There is limited treatment for ALS through one approved drug, and Andy has opted to not participate in drug trials due to risks of receiving a placebo. Andy remains hopeful that his lifestyle and diet choices will help him live longer than the average ALS patient.
A rubéola é uma infecção viral contagiosa caracterizada por erupções vermelhas na pele. A complicação mais grave é a síndrome da rubéola congênita, que pode afetar o feto se a mãe contrair a doença durante a gravidez. A rubéola é transmitida através de gotículas respiratórias e o diagnóstico é feito por exames sorológicos.
1) Neil Gaiman's new book Stardust features ferocious faeries from old legends, not the more benevolent garden variety. The story is a romance that begins in a small English town and moves into a fantasy realm.
2) When a young man named Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star for a girl, he is sent on an adventure into faerie land to recover the star, which has also attracted a witch and three murderous lords.
3) Gaiman wrote the book partly because adults need faerie stories too, to reconnect with their imagination, and he wanted to write a pre-Tolkien fantasy without derivative imitations of Lord of the R
El documento define el instinto biológicamente como un patrón hereditario de comportamiento. Explica que los instintos son comunes en toda una especie y tienen una finalidad adaptativa. También discute que los humanos tienen instintos como la supervivencia y la reproducción, aunque estos están influenciados por factores psicológicos, sociales y éticos. Finalmente, define la sexualidad humana como un aspecto central que abarca el sexo, la identidad de género, el placer y las relaciones, el cual se expresa a nivel personal, interpersonal y
El cáncer es una enfermedad causada por células que se multiplican sin control, invadiendo otros tejidos. Los tipos más comunes son de piel, pulmón, mama y colorrectal. El cáncer de mama es una proliferación maligna de las células epiteliales de los conductos o lobulillos de la mama, y se detecta mediante mamografía, ultrasonido mamario o resonancia magnética.
La ira trea 6 fisiologia de la conductayenniffer22
Este documento describe la ira como una emoción que surge del resentimiento o la irritabilidad. Explica que la ira normalmente se desencadena cuando nos sentimos tratados injustamente o cuando nuestros objetivos se ven obstaculizados. También señala que los entornos familiares estrictos donde falta el afecto son desencadenantes comunes de la ira en la infancia. Finalmente, detalla algunos síntomas y efectos negativos de la ira tanto para la salud personal como para las relaciones sociales.
I am working at Best Cheese Company Kaliob (Lactel & Nestle Egypt) for dairy product as a Food Technologist with the mission of Product & industrial performance development.
Tarea 2 fisiologia conductual proceso mentalyenniffer22
Los procesos mentales incluyen la memoria, percepción, inteligencia y pensamiento. La memoria y percepción son procesos cognitivos básicos mientras que la inteligencia y pensamiento son procesos cognitivos superiores. La inteligencia emocional es importante para gestionar las propias emociones y las de los demás. El aprendizaje puede ser receptivo, significativo u observacional. La memoria permite retener experiencias pasadas y se clasifica en memoria a corto y largo plazo. Los sentimientos y emociones son respuest
1) Drew Barrymore, age 7, was promoting the movie E.T. at a mall appearance. She grew tired during the long event where she met with fans and signed autographs.
2) During her appearance, Drew comforted a lost 3-year-old boy named Aaron who was reunited with his mother.
3) Drew's mother was protective of not overworking Drew and ended the event early when Drew seemed exhausted. Drew perked up when able to shop for toys before returning home.
Kate receives messages from an unknown person demanding she meet them at a bench or there will be consequences. This upsets Kate. While waiting for the bus with her sister Lilly, Kate angrily paces before entering a dark wooded area, leaving Lilly behind. Lilly tries to follow but gets lost and falls. Kate realizes her mistake and finds Lilly crying on the ground, hugging her in relief. Kate apologizes and carries Lilly home.
Kate receives messages from an unknown person demanding she meet them at a bench. She brings her sister Lilly to the bus stop as she waits for the bus. Kate becomes upset by the messages and walks into the dark woods, with Lilly following behind out of worry. Lilly loses sight of Kate and gets lost, hurt and scared in the woods. Kate realizes Lilly is missing and panics, sprinting through the woods calling for her. Kate finds Lilly curled up on the floor and hugs her tightly, apologizing before carrying her home.
Ethnocentrism can create oppression, bullying, and assault. The document provides examples of people who were assaulted or bullied to the point of suicide because of their sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity. Ethnocentrism is an outlook where one sees their own group as central and judges other groups in comparison to it, which can lead to discrimination, prejudice, and violence against others.
This document profiles and compares two role models of the author: Angelina Jolie and Queen Latifah. It summarizes their backgrounds, including that Angelina Jolie is an actress and model born in Los Angeles who has received accolades for her acting and humanitarian work, while Queen Latifah is a rapper, singer and actress from New Jersey who has won a Grammy and been nominated for others. It notes that the author admires them both for their families and influence, with Angelina Jolie having adopted children and Queen Latifah inspiring plus-sized women.
Julian, a lumberjack, went missing in the forest one day after not returning home. His wife Hilda worried and alerted the mayor Jack Oxley. Jack searched Julian's usual spots and found his truck full of wood but no Julian. He discovered two sets of footprints leading deeper into the forest, one likely Julian's. He followed the tracks and found a cigarette butt, unusual since no one in town smoked. Further along he saw blood and tracks, unsure if Julian was attacked by animals or a mysterious visitor. Suddenly a shadow approached and Jack prepared for the worst, but it was Julian, who explained he had been talking to an out-of-town man when they were attacked by wolves, solving the
Kylie is a 16-year-old teenager who has struggled since her father died when she was young and her mother suffered from depression and went to rehab. She now lives with her aunt and grandmother but hangs out with a bad group of friends and is not doing well in school. When her friend falsely accuses her of theft, the school administrators try to motivate her by showing her future opportunities. On the same day, her mother visits for the first time in a while and Kylie decides to change her ways, focusing on her family and future instead of her old friends. The film proposal outlines Kylie's backstory and plans for the trailer to show her struggles and decision to improve herself.
This short document promotes creating presentations on Haiku Deck and sharing them on SlideShare. It features photos from three different photographers and encourages the reader to get started making their own Haiku Deck presentation.
Bob Cranmer, an Allegheny County Commissioner, grew a beard but was advised by his campaign advisors to shave it off as many voters, especially older voters and men, did not like it. While his family loved the beard, Cranmer reluctantly shaved it off due to the campaign advice. Throughout history, few US presidents have had facial hair other than eyebrows, with the last being William Howard Taft in the early 1900s. There are theories as to why politicians avoid facial hair, such as the need to maintain a clean-cut image and the challenge of maintaining and caring for facial hair on a daily basis.
Mazen Al Sayegh is a Lebanese national seeking a manager position. He has over 15 years of experience in hotel management, including roles as Restaurant Manager at the Babylon Warwick Hotel in Baghdad and Headwaiter and Senior Head Waiter at the Hilton Habtoor in Beirut. He holds degrees in Hospitality Management and Philosophy and is fluent in Arabic and English with fair French skills.
El Parque Metropolitano Albarregas es un área verde ubicada en Mérida de 612 hectáreas. Representa uno de los pocos bosques restantes en el área urbana y alberga una rica biodiversidad. Sin embargo, el parque enfrenta problemas como la contaminación del Río Albarregas, el descuido de la vegetación, la falta de mantenimiento de infraestructura y la inseguridad. Se requiere implementar un plan para mejorar las condiciones ambientales, la vigilancia y el desarrollo sustentable del parque.
This document summarizes interviews with three former railroad workers who discuss their careers working for the Union Railroad in western Pennsylvania between the 1940s-1970s. Don Waite worked as a fireman on steam engines from 1950-1958, shoveling coal to power the trains. Jess Powers also worked as a fireman in the 1940s-1950s and later held management roles. Eddie Waruszewski held various roles in Pittsburgh train yards and stations from 1937-1974, including sorting mail and working in reservations. The interviews describe the physical demands of working with steam engines and how jobs changed with the transition to diesel engines in the 1950s. All three took pride in their railroad careers and enjoyed sharing stories about their experiences.
1) Andy was diagnosed with ALS less than a year after a frustrating vacation. He maintains a healthy tan and complexion through drinking a daily gallon of carrot-parsley-wheat grass juice.
2) Andy takes a rigorous approach to his health through an antioxidant-rich diet, supplements, and alternative therapies in an effort to slow the progression of ALS and extend his life.
3) Doctors have not recommended Andy's specific health regimen. There is limited treatment for ALS through one approved drug, and Andy has opted to not participate in drug trials due to risks of receiving a placebo. Andy remains hopeful that his lifestyle and diet choices will help him live longer than the average ALS patient.
A rubéola é uma infecção viral contagiosa caracterizada por erupções vermelhas na pele. A complicação mais grave é a síndrome da rubéola congênita, que pode afetar o feto se a mãe contrair a doença durante a gravidez. A rubéola é transmitida através de gotículas respiratórias e o diagnóstico é feito por exames sorológicos.
1) Neil Gaiman's new book Stardust features ferocious faeries from old legends, not the more benevolent garden variety. The story is a romance that begins in a small English town and moves into a fantasy realm.
2) When a young man named Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star for a girl, he is sent on an adventure into faerie land to recover the star, which has also attracted a witch and three murderous lords.
3) Gaiman wrote the book partly because adults need faerie stories too, to reconnect with their imagination, and he wanted to write a pre-Tolkien fantasy without derivative imitations of Lord of the R
El documento define el instinto biológicamente como un patrón hereditario de comportamiento. Explica que los instintos son comunes en toda una especie y tienen una finalidad adaptativa. También discute que los humanos tienen instintos como la supervivencia y la reproducción, aunque estos están influenciados por factores psicológicos, sociales y éticos. Finalmente, define la sexualidad humana como un aspecto central que abarca el sexo, la identidad de género, el placer y las relaciones, el cual se expresa a nivel personal, interpersonal y
El cáncer es una enfermedad causada por células que se multiplican sin control, invadiendo otros tejidos. Los tipos más comunes son de piel, pulmón, mama y colorrectal. El cáncer de mama es una proliferación maligna de las células epiteliales de los conductos o lobulillos de la mama, y se detecta mediante mamografía, ultrasonido mamario o resonancia magnética.
La ira trea 6 fisiologia de la conductayenniffer22
Este documento describe la ira como una emoción que surge del resentimiento o la irritabilidad. Explica que la ira normalmente se desencadena cuando nos sentimos tratados injustamente o cuando nuestros objetivos se ven obstaculizados. También señala que los entornos familiares estrictos donde falta el afecto son desencadenantes comunes de la ira en la infancia. Finalmente, detalla algunos síntomas y efectos negativos de la ira tanto para la salud personal como para las relaciones sociales.
I am working at Best Cheese Company Kaliob (Lactel & Nestle Egypt) for dairy product as a Food Technologist with the mission of Product & industrial performance development.
Tarea 2 fisiologia conductual proceso mentalyenniffer22
Los procesos mentales incluyen la memoria, percepción, inteligencia y pensamiento. La memoria y percepción son procesos cognitivos básicos mientras que la inteligencia y pensamiento son procesos cognitivos superiores. La inteligencia emocional es importante para gestionar las propias emociones y las de los demás. El aprendizaje puede ser receptivo, significativo u observacional. La memoria permite retener experiencias pasadas y se clasifica en memoria a corto y largo plazo. Los sentimientos y emociones son respuest
Andy loves cars, especially Cadillacs which represent success and status to him. However, he was forced to sell his last Cadillac due to his ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease) making it difficult to get in and out of the vehicle. ALS causes motor neurons to stop functioning, resulting in increasing paralysis over time as commands from the brain are not conveyed to muscles. While Andy tries not to let the disease control his life, it has forced changes to his daily routines and activities like working out, doing laundry, and playing with his dog.
Andy Nodaros was diagnosed with ALS and given 2-5 years to live. He became an advocate for ALS awareness, fundraising and speaking publicly about the disease. Over the next 16 months, the disease progressed rapidly. Andy had a room built to accommodate his wheelchair but passed away only 10 days after moving in. Despite the disease taking away his ability to walk, talk and eat on his own, Andy remained committed to helping other ALS patients until the end of his life.
This annual report summarizes the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Cincinnati in 2013. It describes several cases where volunteers provided urgent assistance such as food, clothing, beds, and help paying bills to struggling families and prevented homelessness. The report expresses gratitude to donors for making these "moments of grace" possible and highlights charitable programs like food drives, coat collections, and donation centers that help those in need.
1) Andy Nodaros began experiencing a limp and weakness in his right leg and foot during a family vacation, which prevented him from enjoying activities with his grandchildren.
2) Despite visits to a chiropractor and doctors, the cause of his symptoms was initially unknown. Tests and exams ruled out issues with his back but his problems progressed to falling.
3) He was eventually diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after abnormal results from electrical muscle tests. The neurologist informed Andy he could expect to live 2-5 more years while providing information about the terminal disease.
The Real Story on Ms. Nikki's TV Teen Talk Show!Antoinette Capri
Ms. Nikki wants to start a national TV teen talk show to help youth with life's challenges and build resilience. She has overcome many personal hardships as a single mother of two, including homelessness and financial struggles. She believes the talk show can decrease issues like unemployment, violence, and increase self-esteem among teens. Support is needed to fund the first year of the show through expenses like marketing, production costs, and salaries. Donations are being requested to turn this vision into a reality and help empower youth.
1. By Brian Estadt
Editor
Ever the flirt, Andy puts his left leg up on his coffee table, leans back
a bit in his chair and breaks into a grin as he talks into the phone to Alia.
"I told you to get rid of that husband of yours and get over here," he
says, speaking like she were an old friend from high school.
In many ways, it's vintage Andy Nodaros. The flirting. The casual
pose. The laugh behind his words.
But in so many other ways, the brief exchange perfectly illustrates
how much Andy's life has changed over the past year.
To put his left foot up on the table, Andy must reach down, pinch the
loose material of his warm-up pants and drag his leg up to the table's
edge like a mother dog dragging a headstrong pup.
Though he'll BS with anyone at any time, the woman on the other
end of line is calling from Boston for a reason. Although Alia Rieker
loves how a few words from Andy can brighten her day, their paths never
would have crossed if not for her role as an employee of the ALS Ther-
apy Development Foundation.
And the chair in which Andy sits? It's his motorized, joystick-controlled wheelchair. It's rela-
tively comfortable, state-of-the-art and shiny. And day by day, it increasingly feels like a prison on
wheels.
* * *
A year ago, Andy merely limped through his daily routine. Since his diagnosis with Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis — also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease — last November, the limp has worsened to
such a degree that his accessories have advanced from cane to walker to wheelchair and scooter.
Visitors to his Brentwood home find wooden ramps covering the front steps so he can get in and
out easier. Step into his backyard and you'll see where the wheelchair lift will be installed next to the
porch, which itself will be transformed into a bedroom suite complete with accessible bathroom facili-
ties.
And over in the corner of his driveway sits his immaculate Blazer. A year after anguishing over
the sale of his Cadillac, Andy glances over to where his Blazer sits unused in the driveway.
The Blazer rarely sat outside when there was even a hint of a percentage of a chance of rain.
These days it's there round the clock. The garage now holds a gorgeous new van. A van that, for the
time being, is as immobile as Andy.
Customized to accommodate Andy's disability, the van sports a steering wheel with a screw-in
knob for easier turning and hand controls for the brake and gas pedals. Andy was supposed to be driv-
ing it by now. But he puts more mileage on the motorized lifts that shuttle him between the three levels
of his home.
Andy had looked forward to driving the new van for months. Eager to still work but finding it
increasingly difficult to drive the truck, he bought the van. And, since he still plans to keep his job find-
ing employment for mentally disabled adults — for now he's handling his duties over the phone — the
state-funded Occupational Vocational Rehabilitation program picked up the $17,000 cost of outfitting
the van to accommodate him.
ONE YEAR AND COUNTING
From limp to cane to walker to wheelchair, Andy’s first year with ALS
“One Year and Counting” — the
fifth installment of “Living Without
a Cure” — was published Dec. 25,
2002, in The South Hills Record.
Copyright 2002 Trib Total Media.
2. Last month, he and his wife, Carol, traveled to Johnstown so he could be certified to drive the
van. They came home disappointed.
It wasn't because of the disease, at least not directly. It was a shoulder injury that, for now,
makes it impossible for him to turn a steering wheel more than 90 degrees.
Rather than try to con his way through the exam — which is automatically failed if the driver
lifts the left hand from the brake/accelerator control to help the right hand steer— Andy called it off in
the middle of a practice drive. He simply couldn’t do it.
"That really hurt, not being able to drive,” Andy says. “As depressed as I was for a couple days, it's
just par for the course.
"It's a depressing disease."
* * *
It’s depressing in many ways. While the physical limitations are a blow to this former body-
builder’s ego, the worst — at least for now — is how new weaknesses manifest.
His shoulder problem is a byproduct of the disease. He was injured while trying to catch himself
when he lost his balance and fell.
That fall wasn’t the only one. He’s fallen several times throughout his house and he fell in a
parking lot, banging his head of the pavement and giving himself a concussion.
“That’s the biggest threat right now — falling and hurting yourself,” he says.
The fear of falling has changed his workout routine. He now avoids his basement gym and only
uses free weights in his bedroom and does stretching exercises.
"To be honest, I'm afraid I won't get up off the bench," he says about his downstairs gym. "If I
fall down there, I'm done. Done."
There are other problems.
Andy has trouble getting up from a chair. It’s a struggle to sit up in the morning. To change his
position in bed, he’s forced to manhandle his legs and use an anchored clothesline.
If that weren’t bad enough, there’s the trouble with bathrooms — everything from using a
shower to maneuvering around a toilet.
Andy thought he was prepared for awkward situations when, while traveling with two ALS pa-
tients who have little use of their hands, he had to help them zip up after a trip to an airport restroom.
He wasn’t.
Before the diagnosis, Andy’s mother used to visit once a week. Now she’s at his house every day
at 10 a.m. to help out. One morning she arrived to find him on the toilet.
After having sat down shortly after Carol left for work that morning, he realized he simply didn’t
have the strength to get up.
“I just sat there for two hours,” he says. “I was talking to the plant, making friends with the ants.”
His mother couldn’t help. Andy had to call his daughter-in-law to come help.
"Embarrassing?” he asks rhetorically. “How about this disease being humiliating?"
* * *
All is not bad news, though. Despite his increasing limitations, Andy relishes his ever-expanding
role as an advocate for ALS patients and the organizations that are fighting the disease.
While there’s nothing he can do to prevent the progression of the disease, Andy refuses to let it
turn him into a recluse.
“I'm not going to let this disease rule my life. I'm not going to let it dictate to me. I'm going to
dictate to the disease what I'm going to do, rather than it tell me to crawl in a shell and stay in the
house.
“I'm doing the opposite because it gives me a reason to live."
3. The key, he says, is keeping busy.
"As long as I have something to do, I'm fine," he says. "Helping somebody is the biggest thing in
the world for me."
If so, the world might not be big enough for all the help Andy's trying to dish out.
He’s already talking about taking part in a trip to Washington, D.C., next year to lobby officials
for more funding to research the disease.
And if he's not doing something for the Muscular Dystrophy Association — speaking at its an-
nual Ball and Chain gala, visiting an MDA camp for children, and appearances on the Labor Day
telethon and on the MDA float in last month’s “Celebrate the Season” parade — he's helping the ALS
Association of Western Pennsylvania, which has invited him to serve on its board.
Or he’s helping the ALS Therapy Development Foundation (TDF) in Boston. Or any other or-
ganization that researches the disease or provides care for people with ALS.
Though he’s more than eager to help any of the organizations, he’s most optimistic about the re-
search going on at TDF, which has a goal of developing treatments to slow the advancement of ALS in
today's patients.
Last month, he helped raise nearly $4,000 for TDF through a shopping promotion at South
Hills Village.
That’s what he was talking to Alia about. And as thrilled as she was on the other end of the
phone, Andy isn’t satisfied.
But part of him likes it that way — it just means there’s more work to do.
“I know (TDF is) going to come up with something,” he says. “But I’ve got to do more for them.
“It’s just not enough. I’ve got to something else for them.”