Simply listening to the energy and enthusiasm in her voice can be infectious. Racing from topic to topic, Sharon Nelson proudly describes friends, family and her activities with Hillcrest Baptist Church. She talks the very least about herself, but has a huge impact on the lives of those she knows.
Mrs. Nelson is especially quiet about the growing fatigue from a disease she has been living with for three years amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A progressive disease, ALS is characterized by the wasting away of certain motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movements. Over time, muscles weaken and there is less motor control and problems with speaking, swallowing and breathing.
''I was a pretty outgoing person. I made plans for retirement like everyone else,'' Mrs. Nelson said. ''Then, suddenly, I began feeling a weakness in my body.
''This isn't as painful if you pay attention and do what you're supposed to do. The real difficulty is being handicapped. I'm striving not to let it steal my joy for living.''
Fellow church member Pam Merrill said Mrs. Nelson's attitude hasn't changed since her diagnosis.
''In her mind, she's living with Lou Gehrig's disease not dying of it,''Mrs. Merrill said.
''She has such a wonderful attitude about everything. You can talk to her about anything,'' she said.
The women have worked together on church-related activities in the past including Christian education and the Awanas program.
''I've known her for about 15 years. We've become really close in the last six to seven years and for the last four years, she and I have co-led a women's Bible study. She still has one in her home as well,'' Mrs. Merrill said.
The Rev. Jerry McCann calls Mrs. Nelson a prayer warrior.
''She's a wonderful person who lives her faith. She's an encourager with a kind word for all,'' said the senior pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
''She has a ministry of sending cards to fellow church members, a prayer ministry and sends messages of encouragement.''
Her family says her creative talents stretch beyond hand-crafted cards.
''I have a lot of stuff in my home that she's made,'' Connie Hanley, her daughter-in-law, said.
''Canvass paintings, saw blades and quilts that she made for my children.''
''She's very talented, she paints and quilts. She's very artistic, very gifted,'' added Heather Griffin, Mrs. Nelson's daughter.
Learning of her mother's disease had devastated her.
''When I found out, there was a lot of anger, frustration and fear. My mother means the world to me. To be honest, when she first found out she had to help me cope. She's always been my support system, my saving grace.''
She said, ''I think this was God's way of telling her to slow down.''
Mrs. Nelson says her daily activities have changed somewhat and now include corresponding with ALS survivors.
''This disease usually attacks people between the ages of 40 and 60 but I now know young man in Olean who is only 37, and going fast,'' she said.
''My average day starts anywhere from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. I check my computer for e-mail, listen to the radio, get dressed and do my daily devotions. Then I clean a little, figure out what I want for lunch, do some crafting or reading. Later I go out on my motorized scooter and check my birdfeeders.''
Isabelle Smith said she became friends with Mrs. Nelson through a telephone friendship two years ago.
''She doesn't complain about her illness and she's getting the word out about ALS,'' Mrs. Smith said.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association and her insurance financed the motorized scooter. Representatives from the MDA interviewed Mrs. Nelson for this year's Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
''The man from MDA asked me what I figured God's plan was and purpose for letting me get ALS. I don't know God's plan or purpose but it has helped me learn and live with my friends and family,'' she said.
''Everyone of us has something we're dealing with today. If you don't have pity, sadness or remorse in your face then people won't pity you.''
''I get to enjoy home, family and friends so much more now. This has increased my faith. God showed me from the very beginning he's been with me and shows me the way,'' Mrs. Nelson said.