Ride For Life: Deputy fights crime and his ALS

Thad Bailes looks forward to work every day.

Deputies at the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office are glad Bailes, with his trademark smile and "speed demon" walker, is able to come to work. "It is very good to see him walk in each morning," D.A.R.E. Officer Melissa Sweeney said. "It wouldn't be the same without him."

Earlier this year, the former Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is a terminal illness that renders voluntary and involuntary muscles useless.

An estimated 30,000 people in the United States suffer from ALS.

Bailes said it was a shock when he learned that Mike Wiley of the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office had also been diagnosed with ALS.

Both graduated from the D.A.R.E Academy together, and both were essential in getting their parishes' programs off the ground.

"I could not believe Mike had the same thing," Bailes said.

They stay in touch as a way to support each other; both are losing strength in their arms and legs.

Bailes' hands are curved down, and at times he has trouble speaking, while Wiley has lost almost all use of his left arm.

Last year, Bailes noticed a pain under his right arm. The arm later grew weaker.

Then he got the same feeling under his left arm.

Rounds of tests and doctor visits finally led to his diagnosis of ALS.

"It changes your life," said his wife, Roberta Bailes, a teacher at Anacoco High School.

The Leesville couple is making daily adjustments in lifestyle.

Electric toothbrushes, bent eating utensils and a specially designed walker are part of life.

"We try something and if it works, we keep on doing until it doesn't work,"Roberta Bailes said.

Bailes has found himself delegated to a "supervisory role" in his family's businesses, especially the cattle company.

His wife said the family has pulled together to help run it, and Bailes watches what goes on.

At the Sheriff's Office, he works in the detective's division. An officer picks him up every morning for work.

Bailes still gets to attend some parish D.A.R.E. activities.

"It is hard for him emotionally," his wife said. "He is used to doing things himself."

The road also has been hard for Bailes wife.

She has had to change her work schedule at Anacoco High School, where she teaches.

She said the school has allowed her to come in later, so she and her husband have more time in the mornings to get ready.

But through it all, she said the community has blessed the two of them.

The Baileses have not been grocery shopping in a while, A high school club donated money and a fund was set up at Merchants and Farmers Bank and Trust Co.

The Sheriff's Office also is holding a barbecue dinner April 12 for the couple.

Mrs. Bailes said she and her husband have been overwhelmed by the love shown them.

She said so many want to help and have helped that she sends out e-mails of thanks. It's quicker that way.

One of the most memorable moments for the Bailes family was when the Anacoco High School girls team won the state basketball championship. Their daughter is a manager for the team.

The players unrolled a large banner that read: "We did it for you, Mr. Bailes."

"That was so special," he said.

As he thinks back to the children who have come through his D.A.R.E. classes, Bailes' eyes light up.

He remembers his first class, now college seniors. Among the first graduates was Kyle Hornsby, now a basketball player at Indiana University.

Bailes plans to continue to work as long as he is able. Asked if he would give up, Bailes smiled and shook his head.

"Never," he said.

May is ALS Awareness Month, and May 18 and 19 is the Covering All the Bases with ALSA event. Participants can make a financial pledge for every home run hit in Major League Baseball that weekend. For information visit the ALSA Web site at www.alsa.org or call 866-257-3838.

In addition, a local ALS support group will hold its first meeting May 20. For information contact the Muscular Dystrophy Association at 640-9964.

Mandy M. Goodnight: 487-6465;

Photo caption

Thad Bailes sits in his office in the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office with his wife, Roberta. One of the parish's first D.A.R.E. officers, Bailes continues to work despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease. He said it was a shock to learn the same disease has afflicted Rapides Parish sheriff's D.A.R.E. officer Mike Wiley. - Tia Owens/The Town Talk

Thad Bailes laughs with his friend and former D.A.R.E. partner, Melissa Sweeney, in his office at the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office. The two worked with children throughout the parish. Bailes suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease - and no longer works with the D.A.R.E. program. - Tia Owens/The Town Talk