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Lou Gehrig's Battle with ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS, became well known when the former Yankee's baseball star Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with it. It only took a matter of three years for an athlete in great physical condition to be taken over by this terrible disease. ALS is a degenerative disease that takes over your body in a matter of years, until it results in death. Occupational therapy can help clients like Lou Gehrig who have ALS maintain as many ADLs as possible, while maintaining range of motion and strength. Since he was used to such a fast paced life, Lou had a very hard time adapting to a lifestyle in which he becomes fatigued very easily and finds simple tasks to be very difficult. His goals include being a NYC Parole officer for as long as possible, being able to attend Yankees baseball games to cheer on his previous teammates, and to remain as independent as possible. Because ALS is a degenerative disease, OT cannot make a huge difference in his physical well-being; however, it can optimize the functioning he has at this moment. ALS has unfortunately become more common and well known after Lou Gehrig's battle with it, but occupational therapy can help those battling this disease live as comfortably as possible for the time being.

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