The Seguin Gazette
Copyright © 2004 The Seguin Gazette
By Janet Grafe
Seguin Gazette
Published April 11, 2004

SEGUIN, TEXAS — For Allan Dreibrodt, each day is a gift.

Dreibrodt began living with ALS — or Lou Gehrig’s Disease — in 1985 and has far exceeded the three years most people with ALS survive.

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive deterioration of the nervous system.

It started in Dreibrodt’s feet when he was about 30 years old, then caused him to lose the use of his arms and legs. For the past five years, a new treatment has worked to stop his condition from getting worse.

To keep going, Dreibrodt calls on a support network of family and friends. He said he couldn’t do anything without the help of his wife, Janice.

As members of Faith Lutheran Church, the couple said their belief in God helps them cope.

“We have a very strong faith,” Janice said. “We believe that God has a plan for us, and that this is part of that plan. That keeps us going.”

Allan’s employer, Wells Fargo Bank, helps him remain so positive. Janice said the company is willing to do anything it takes to keep Allan productive.

Every morning, Tuddy Dietz picks Allan up and takes him to the bank.

Allan can’t use his arms, so he writes reports using a light reflected off his forehead to type on an on-screen keyboard. At noon, Janice picks him up and takes him home.

“I work for SMI, where family is important,” Janice said. “I’ve worked for the same man for 20 years. He told me to put Allan first and gives me the time off I need to take care of him.”

To give something back, Allan is attending the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s El Ranchito-Seguin Lockup Thursday, April 22, when more than 100 local business leaders will be “arrested” for having a good heart. The “criminals” spend an hour behind bars to raise money for MDA.

“I don’t know what we would have done without MDA,” Janice said. “They are like an extended family. The staff of the MDA/ALS clinic in San Antonio is so compassionate and have been there when we needed them. Allan is examined at the clinic every four months and MDA pays for all of it. They also help us with things like his wheelchair.”

Janice said there are times when Allan gets frustrated about things he can no longer do.

“His brain sees him doing things, and his body just doesn’t respond,” Janice said. “He has a very strong belief that one day they will find a cure, and he is waiting for it.”

For more information about ALS or the MDA, call Erika Olivarri at (210) 650-3181.