For those who served, ALS looms as new enemy

[unhappycamper]

http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x1095528231/For-those-who-served-ALS-looms-as-new-enemy



Todd Russ of Altoona is shown with his wife, Judy. Todd is a Navy veteran who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”


For those who served, ALS looms as new enemy
Randy Griffith [e-mail]
November 11, 2012

JOHNSTOWN — Todd Russ was a healthy, active Navy veteran in his late 50s when he started noticing some numbness and found himself tripping.

Doctors first thought it was a problem with his back, but two surgical procedures did not help. In fact, his symptoms continued to develop and spread to other limbs, his wife, Judy, said from their Altoona home

A friend read a report about veterans being more likely to contract amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”

~snip~

Since the symptoms first developed in 2000, Todd Russ’s condition has deteriorated. Now 70 years old, he must use a walker and has limited use of one arm. His speech is slurred and slow, and he has trouble chewing and swallowing.