"Galen Hekhuis" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 19 May 2004 12:05:44 GMT, Brian Nystrom
wrote:
I have been losing my ability to speak these past few years, and, as a
consequence, find myself observing conversations far more often than I
participate in them now.

Lupis, wasn't it, Galen? How's it going?

--riverman

On Wed, 19 May 2004 18:12:45 +0100, "riverman" wrote:

Lupis, wasn't it, Galen? How's it going?

Actually it is called primary lateral sclerosis, though few even in the
medical profession are at all familiar with it. It has been described as a
"gentler and kinder" form of ALS (Lou Gerhig's Disease). Although I can't
walk or talk too well anymore, I can still paddle a kayak, and do often, in
fact one lives in my van. Although I don't do much white water stuff
myself, I am looking at some property near Big Shoals, the best white water
in the whole Waterfall State. Come on down, y'all have probably never
experienced white water like we have in this state. Besides, we take
safety seriously here. We have fewer white water related accidents than
most other states. Uh, you might not want to plan your trip between June
and November however, the state does sometimes experience some rather
strong wind and rain during that time.

Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA
We are the CroMagnon of the future

"Galen Hekhuis" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 19 May 2004 18:12:45 +0100, "riverman" wrote:

Lupis, wasn't it, Galen? How's it going?

Actually it is called primary lateral sclerosis, though few even in the
medical profession are at all familiar with it. It has been described as
a
"gentler and kinder" form of ALS (Lou Gerhig's Disease). Although I can't
walk or talk too well anymore, I can still paddle a kayak, and do often,
in
fact one lives in my van. Although I don't do much white water stuff
myself, I am looking at some property near Big Shoals, the best white
water
in the whole Waterfall State.

Why does PLS not affect your paddling and balance so much, Galen? Seems like
that would he harder than walking, unless its because there's fewer muscles
involved.

--myron

On Wed, 19 May 2004 18:57:17 +0100, "riverman" wrote:

Why does PLS not affect your paddling and balance so much, Galen? Seems like
that would he harder than walking, unless its because there's fewer muscles
involved.

Balance yes, but it seems to be affecting mainly the lower body with some
bulbar (speech) involvement. Once I sit down I do pretty well. I imagine
that some of the "tippier" kayaks might be a bit of a problem. Where I go
kayaking out on the Rainbow River there are a lot of SCUBA "drift" divers.
I generally put in before they get there, so some of them are rather
surprised (to put it mildly) to see this clown drive up at the boat ramp in
a kayak, unfold his cane, and then hobble away without so much as a "how do
you do."

Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA
We are the CroMagnon of the future