In 1999, Joe Harris of Meridian, Idaho noticed an unsteadiness in his gait; soon, he began to experience hyperactive reflexes. At age 28, he was diagnosed with ALS - Lou Gehrig´s disease.
ALS is characterized by a progressive deterioration of motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Last year, the disease forced Harris to quit the job he loved as a physical therapist at Bannock Regional Medical Center in Pocatello.
"I was interested in the physical therapy because of family involvement in the health care field," Harris said. "I found out that I thoroughly enjoyed the process and outcomes of helping people overcome illness and injury."
In spite of many setbacks, he has managed to maintain his lust for life, family involvement and a determination to continue helping others by developing a Web site - www.joesalsadvocacy.com.
The site provides information, support and Internet links for others with ALS. It also contains a wonderful photo gallery of Joe and his family.
"Going from a care-giver to one who receives that care was a difficult role switch for me," Harris said.
"Throughout my disease process, I have undergone a transformation from a physically oriented individual to more cerebrally focused," Harris said. "I have mourned every physical loss by going through the stages of grief. In a way I had to reinvent myself."
At age 31, Harris´ speech and mobility have worsened and he is struggling to maintain other functions, such as swallowing. He has lost the ability to type, but he uses a computer tracking device to continue working on the Web site.
"My work on the Web site has provided me an opportunity to help others again," he said. "By utilizing the Internet, I have been able to investigate many different aspects of the disease, which has assisted me in activities of daily living.
"The new Web site will address financial issues, give ways to access and explore available assistive technology, and provide information on advocacy efforts, physical therapy, speech and swallowing."
An internship through the psychology department at Albertson College of Idaho allowed pre-med student Dave Kugler to help Harris design the site and work out most of the technical issues.
Harris has been helped in his efforts by family, friends and organizations such as LINC, Idaho Assistive Technology Project, Idaho Power and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which recently furnished him with a wheelchair.
"I think that it is absolutely wonderful that Joe is willing to share his knowledge and experiences with others who are affected by ALS," MDA spokeswoman Tisha Parrott said. "It takes an enormous amount of courage to live with a disease like ALS. It takes an even greater amount of courage to dive into the details of the disease and assist others in their understanding of it."
Harris is optimistic that sharing his experiences and knowledge with others who have the disease will help lessen physical and psychological burdens for everyone involved.
"Despite my physical limitations, I have experienced a tremendous amount of hope in my future, but I am not naive enough to think that my future will be all positive," he said. "I know that I will be faced with many difficult decisions and psychological and physical hardships," he said.
"In order for me to find my way around life´s roadblocks and open up my world to opportunities, I will have to rely on supportive family and friends, religion, spend time with my beautiful daughter, participate in recreation, utilize the computer and the Internet, and challenge myself intellectually on a daily basis," Harris said.
"Some last words of advice regarding mental health - never give up, set future goals, hunger for opportunities to laugh, explore the world for ways to keep yourself productive, and seek out supportive friends, family and strangers."
Pay a visit to Joe's website:
Post a comment below and say hello to Joe. He'll be checking in now and then.