Go ahead – take a step forward. Just one step. Now think of what needed to happen to take that step. Somewhere in your brain, a neuron fired to send a signal to your thigh and hip muscles to start raising your leg. Another neuron fired to cause your knee to bend, and another to tell your calf and foot muscles to push off the ground.
It has likely been a long time since you have had to really think about how your brain makes you do something as basic as take a step.
For thousands of our friends and neighbors, though, who are affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS (known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”), taking a step can be a daily struggle. This condition affects your motor neurons that control voluntary muscles that help you reach for your cup of coffee, brush your teeth, and millions of other actions. Over time, these neurons degenerate and render the person paralyzed, ultimately leading to their death.
Extra Hands for ALS pairs high school and college age volunteers with families affected by ALS. These youth provide another set of hands, and through their substantial training and mentoring, they are truly a source of significant aid to the families. These helpers also participate in awareness programs and learn how to communicate with their peers about the disease.
You can take a step toward funding services to help those affected by ALS by participating in the Run for Your Life. This 2-mile costumed fun run takes place on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 at the College of Idaho.
Entry fees are $20 for adults, $15 for juniors, $40 for a team of 4, or $60 for a family of 5. Online registration closes on Oct. 31. To register or for more information, visit www.alsrun.org/boise.
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