The Record today has a wonderful article featuring the courageous battle Paul Chambers is fighting.  You can read part of it here, remember ALS research is important and underfunded. 

WATERLOO — The disease is terrible, steadily paralyzing Paul Chambers’ body.

“It’s a long death,” he said. “There’s no hope of fixing anything.”

Every day he gets weaker and sicker with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. That’s a tough reality for a man who was active every day, played just about every sport and taught physical education.

“It’s hard to watch your body fall apart,” said Chambers, 59.

But in the grip of such a dire illness, Chambers sees blessings.

“I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself,” he said.

Although the disease’s path is swift, with the majority of patients dying within two to five years of diagnosis, Chambers is thankful for the time he has still.

Time to be with family and friends. Time to prepare for his death. Time to cherish.

“If I had a heart attack and died, I wouldn’t have that opportunity,” Chambers said.

His many friends will join him at a June 11 fundraising walk benefiting the ALS Society of Canada for support services and research ( www.walkforals.ca). Last year, Chambers walked in the fundraiser. Now he needs a motorized wheelchair.

“ALS is a very unknown disease,” Chambers said. “It needs funding — not only funding for research, but funding for patients who are trying to make their quality of life as best as they can for the short time they have left.”

About 3,000 Canadians are living with the fatal disease with no treatment, cure or known cause. For every person diagnosed with the disease, another dies.

Come and support Paul and ALS research June 11 at Bingemans.  The 5 kilometre walk starts at 11 AM .