Prayer
I found myself staring at the article "The Signs were there: Diagnosis
confirms Lou Gehrig's Disease" it took all I had to read it because
on May 1st, 2005 my mother died from complications associated with ALS.
She was an incredible woman and a loving wife and mother. We miss her
terribly. Mom was incredibly courageous through her struggle with this disease
fortunately for her and for us she never experienced paralysis.
She was diagnosed with bulbar on-set ALS. Her ability to swallow and
speak was compromised-she too started slurring her speech about a year
before she was diagnosed. The diagnosis came in December 2004 I was with her and my
dad when the neurologist lowered the boom.
I will pray for you and your family. Be strong and focused to live the
rest of your life to the fullest. I prayed that mom would be
miraculously cured but God had other plans for her. I will now pray for
you maybe you will be that one person that "kicks" this disease. In
mom's continuing weakened voice she would say "I'm going to beat this".
She believed she would and she lived the rest of her life with the
intent of getting up every morning and doing her daily chores.
Please forgive me if I have overstepped my boundaries assuming that you
are a prayerful or religious person. I have attached the prayer my
mother said every morning and I am sure several times through out the day.
Leo, hang in there and know there are many people pulling for you-
My regards and best wishes to your wife and children,
Mary E. Brown
President & CEO, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California
PRAYER IN TIME OF NEED
I am hurting dear Lord, I ask you to listen to the cry of
my heart. Strengthen my faith and give me patience
to bear my troubles. Visit me your grace. I leave all my
cares to your wisdom, love, understanding and goodness.
Amen