Copyright 2004 Bergen Record Corporation
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
July 20, 2004 Tuesday
All Bergen Editions
SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. L01
LENGTH: 939 words
HEADLINE: Pool of support;
Ridgewood response overwhelms ALS patient

BYLINE: By EVONNE COUTROS, STAFF WRITER, North Jersey Media Group

Jack Elwood wasn't sure how to break the news to pals last year that he had been diagnosed with ALS.

Elwood, a health and physical-education instructor at Ridgewood High School and assistant pool manager at Graydon Pool, didn't know how friends would react to his being stricken with the incurable, degenerative, often fatal illness.

The response, he found, was overwhelming.

"There were fund-raising events, donations ... people I didn't know came forward to help," said Elwood, 53.

On July 27, the Ridgewood community will hold another party to raise money for a trust in Elwood's name.

The money raised at "Jack's Pool Party" at Graydon Pool will be used to offset the expenses incurred by families with ALS - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which used to be called Lou Gehrig's disease.

"When I first found out it was ALS in May 2003, I didn't keep any secrets to people I was close to," Elwood said. "I told my family first. I knew it was going to be a shock. I didn't make a formal announcement or broadcast it to many. Then the word started to travel."

Elwood talks openly about the disease and is aware that as ALS attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, he will lose muscle control and will need a motorized wheelchair and other medical devices in the future.

"No matter what I'm going through - whether emotional or physical - I'm not quitting," said Elwood, who has lost motor use of most of his fingers.

In 1869, French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot first wrote about ALS in medical literature. According to the ALS Association Web site, more than 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year.

Famous names are associated with ALS.

Noted theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking uses a wheelchair and a breathing apparatus due to ALS. Hawking, an Englishman educated at Oxford and Cambridge, has been living with ALS for more than 40 years.

Hall of Fame baseball players Lou Gehrig and Jim "Catfish" Hunter died from ALS complications. The disease also claimed Sen. Jacob Javits, actors David Niven and Michael Zaslow, writer Jenifer Estess, and golf caddie Bruce Edwards. Brandeis University Professor Morrie Schwartz had his life with ALS chronicled in the book "Tuesdays with Morrie."

"Jack is approaching this illness the same way he approaches his job and life in general," said Garland Allen, the Ridgewood school district's director of wellness. "He is very well read and constantly trying to gather information to be more effective on his job. He has educated himself about this disease and that has empowered him to deal with ALS. Jack understands what's happening. He also extends himself to others with the disease."

Elwood has taught thousands of students in his 31-year career with the district, and many have taken part in fund-raisers that have been held for him.

Ridgewood High School teachers organized a 3.1-mile run in November that raised $37,000 for the trust in Elwood's name. Two months later, the soccer association donated $10,000. A golf outing by relatives raised $14,000, and Benjamin Franklin Middle School students raised $1,300 for the fund.

Elwood first noticed something was wrong when he experienced unexplained muscle twitches.

"Once doctors confirmed the diagnosis, they asked me if I would be interested in getting into their research program," Elwood said. "I said I am yours. Whatever it takes, we've got to find an effective treatment or a cure, and the only way to do that is get involved."

Elwood participates in three studies to monitor the disease, including electric and magnetic impulse tests to measure the degeneration. Another study is testing an anti-inflammatory drug and its effect on slowing the degeneration.

"I was pretty big into lifting or resistance training," Elwood said. "I did biking, a lot of running, triathlons. I continue to exercise. I've definitely lost a lot of strength in my arms, and my hands have lost fine motor control. I have difficulties tying things and buttons, but there are gadgets and gizmos you use ... or I just ask for help."

Nancy Bigos, Ridgewood's recreation superintendent, said it is a natural to hold the pool party at Graydon, on Linwood and North Maple avenues, where Elwood has worked for 23 years and has been passionate about swimming and gathering with family and friends.

"As assistant pool manager, Jack has added his sensitive and compassionate approach to management," Bigos said. "He's always the one who is level-headed in decision-making and negotiating, bringing in his wisdom, patience, and understanding. Staff and colleagues admire and respect him."

The event will feature a barbecue, a swim meet, beach-volleyball competition, cannonball-dive contest, and sandcastle competition.

Elwood has not faced too many quality-of-life issues in the early stages of his ALS, but he has planned for the future. He may require a motorized wheelchair as the disease progresses and will need to make his Oakland home handicapped-accessible.

"I have this strong drive to hope for the best and prepare for the worst," Elwood said.

The school district has scheduled Elwood to teach first-aid courses in September.

Elwood takes a minimal amount of medication for his ALS and has no need for a wheelchair now. Even so, a few months ago he participated in a motorized wheelchair ride from Manhattan to Montauk with ALS patients.

"The emotional highs and lows were unbelievable, but we stopped at schools along the way, accepted donations, and held awareness presentations," Elwood said. "It was all worth it."

For information, reservations, fees, and the rain date for the pool party, call (201) 670-5560.