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My name is Ray Kelly from Washington, Maine, and I was
diagnosed with ALS on September 29, 2000. Because Maine has few neurologists
with expertise when it comes to ALS, my neurologist wanted us to check
out 3 ALS Centers: New England ALS Center, Boston, and Columbia. After
a lot of research and some personal recommendations, the ALS Center
at Columbia became our first choice.
Our experiences at The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Center have all been positive.
Thanks to the speech pathologist, I learned that a palatal lift might help make
my voice more understandable. Indeed, it has. Thanks to the physical therapist,
I have obtained a very comfortable, lightweight neck brace. Thanks to Dr. Mitsumoto,
I know about the importance of maintaining my weight and the future benefits
of a peg tube and has answered my questions regarding current research trials
and medications.
An example of the dedication and compassion of the ALS staff happened last winter
when we drove from Maine to NYC only to hear that an imminent huge snowstorm
was closing everything down in the city. The ALS Center and the hospital had
to close EXCEPT for us. Incredibly, all of the medical specialists including
Dr. Mitsumoto were there for us.
ALS takes its toll on patients' emotions, but our visits to Columbia have always
given my wife and me an uplifting experience.
––Ray
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