About Me

I was born in the small town of Maysville, Kentucky. But I grew up in the town of Bucyrus, Ohio. Home of the Bucyrus Redman, and bratwurst capital of America.

I graduated from Bucyrus High School at the age of 17, in 1983. Two weeks after my 18th birthday, I joined the US Army. I traveled to Fort McClellan, Alabama for 16 weeks of intense military training. Then off to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, for 18 months. Where I met Melissa D. Berry, and married her on March 17, 1985.

One month after the wedding, I was off to South Korea. If you have never been there, but have seen the TV Show M*A*S*H*, then you have seen S. Korea. I spent 1 year and 1 day there. While there, Melissa had our 1st daughter, on October 21, 1985.

I had to out-process from the army in Oakland, CA. I stopped at a fast-food restaurant, saw the prices, and didn't eat for 3 days. In Korea, an egg sandwich cost 25 cents, compared to a burger for $1.50, in Oakland.

When I got back home, my daughter was 6 months old. On March 17, 1987, my youngest daughter was born. I stayed in Bucyrus for 11 months and 13 days, when I decided to reenlist in the army again.

This time in Fort Carson, CO. We were together a month there when Melissa left me, taking our youngest with her.

Speeding up a bit, I have been divorced close to 10 years now. About 3 years ago, I was having severe chest pains. Drs. diagnosed it as asophigitis. Less than a year after that, I noticed my right am getting weaker. Diagnosed as tendonititus. About 8 months later, I had an MRI and an EMG performed. My diagnosis (September 14, 1999) this time, ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrigs Disease.

Since my diagnosis with ALS, I have quit driving. I have had a feeding tube placed. I use a BiPap at night, to help me breathe easier. I have help with shaving and showering. I have my meals fixed for me. Some of them are put in a blender. I have difficulty swallowing thin liquids like milk or water.

My breathing has gotten worse, also. Normal is between 80 and 100%. I am at 50%. My PT (Physical Therapist) said I should not walk alone, because

I could fall easily. It is hard giving up your independency, I know. I am loosing mine slowly.

At my last doctors appointment, my PT and OT told me that I should not walk alone. YEAH RIGHT. I am very careful when I walk, but I still want my independence.

I have been searching out people in my past. So hi goes out to all of you I have found so far. And I'm still looking.

My typing is getting harder each day, but I keep on going anyway, just takes longer. I will eventually have someone do it for me, but not yet.

I don't like giving updates that well, Kind of makes me feel like I'm complaining. If you know me at all, you know I don't like to complain.

I have created a community for the people from Bucyrus, Ohio. Open to all though. This way we can keep in touch. And invite other Bucyrians there also. I graduated in 83, but all are welcome.

According to experts, there is no pain with ALS. Hope they're right. Hope the pain in my arm quits soon. Going to OSU Hospital for my 3 month checkup next month. Will let you know.

Went to my checkup at OSU Hospital's ALS Clinic. My weight is now 115.2 lbs. My breathing is the same, no worse. Everything else is the same.

1, At the time of my diagnosis, I was the caregiver for my dad. We lived in a handicapped apartment through metropolitan housing. I got to the point that I felt I couldn't care for my dad like he needed. He had congestive heart failure, and I felt it would be best for him to live with my brother. January, 2001, we moved dad to my brother's apartment. On February 7, 2001, I went to see dad and found him passed away. He had a total of 11 heart attacks.

2, My church family raised most of the money needed to build a handicap room onto my mom and step-dad's trailer. On October 27, I moved into my new room, pictured here. 20 foot by 24 foot. Plenty of room now.

3, I also have a Rascal Power Chair, that I got from the VA. I can still walk, but I have to be very careful if I do.

After having my feeding tube placed, I continued to lose weight. But I finally stopped at 108 lbs.

These are some of the things I can no longer do: Run, swim, hike, do pushups, drive, bathe myself, shave, write, and cook.

These are some of the things I can do with difficulty: Walk, feed myself, chew and swallow food, turn over in bed, answer my e-mail, type, hold a fork, go down stairs, up is easier, but still hard.

These are some of the things I can do with no difficulty: Stay busy using my mind, laugh, cry, enjoy the company of my friends, love the people close to me, make people laugh, use the mouse on my computer, work on my web site, raise awareness for ALS.


	John's Town \| home About Me \| Bible Study \| Links \| ALS \| Poetry \| Photos About Me I was born in the small town of Maysville, Kentucky. But I grew up in the town of Bucyrus, Ohio. Home of the Bucyrus Redman, and bratwurst capital of America. I graduated from Bucyrus High School at the age of 17, in 1983. Two weeks after my 18th birthday, I joined the US Army. I traveled to Fort McClellan, Alabama for 16 weeks of intense military training. Then off to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, for 18 months. Where I met Melissa D. Berry, and married her on March 17, 1985. One month after the wedding, I was off to South Korea. If you have never been there, but have seen the TV Show MASH, then you have seen S. Korea. I spent 1 year and 1 day there. While there, Melissa had our 1st daughter, on October 21, 1985. I had to out-process from the army in Oakland, CA. I stopped at a fast-food restaurant, saw the prices, and didn't eat for 3 days. In Korea, an egg sandwich cost 25 cents, compared to a burger for $1.50, in Oakland. When I got back home, my daughter was 6 months old. On March 17, 1987, my youngest daughter was born. I stayed in Bucyrus for 11 months and 13 days, when I decided to reenlist in the army again. This time in Fort Carson, CO. We were together a month there when Melissa left me, taking our youngest with her. Speeding up a bit, I have been divorced close to 10 years now. About 3 years ago, I was having severe chest pains. Drs. diagnosed it as asophigitis. Less than a year after that, I noticed my right am getting weaker. Diagnosed as tendonititus. About 8 months later, I had an MRI and an EMG performed. My diagnosis (September 14, 1999) this time, ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrigs Disease. (To know more about ALS and its progression visit my ALS page.) Since my diagnosis with ALS, I have quit driving. I have had a feeding tube placed. I use a BiPap at night, to help me breathe easier. I have help with shaving and showering. I have my meals fixed for me. Some of them are put in a blender. I have difficulty swallowing thin liquids like milk or water. My breathing has gotten worse, also. Normal is between 80 and 100%. I am at 50%. My PT (Physical Therapist) said I should not walk alone, because I could fall easily. It is hard giving up your independency, I know. I am loosing mine slowly. At my last doctors appointment, my PT and OT told me that I should not walk alone. YEAH RIGHT. I am very careful when I walk, but I still want my independence. I don't go to many places while it's cold out. Can't wait for spring. I have been searching out people in my past. So hi goes out to all of you I have found so far. And I'm still looking. My typing is getting harder each day, but I keep on going anyway, just takes longer. I will eventually have someone do it for me, but not yet. I don't like giving updates that well, Kind of makes me feel like I'm complaining. If you know me at all, you know I don't like to complain. I have created a community for the people from Bucyrus, Ohio. Open to all though. This way we can keep in touch. And invite other Bucyrians there also. I graduated in 83, but all are welcome. According to experts, there is no pain with ALS. Hope they're right. Hope the pain in my arm quits soon. Going to OSU Hospital for my 3 month checkup next month. Will let you know. Went to my checkup at OSU Hospital's ALS Clinic. My weight is now 115.2 lbs. My breathing is the same, no worse. Everything else is the same. Some things that I forgot to mention: 1, At the time of my diagnosis, I was the caregiver for my dad. We lived in a handicapped apartment through metropolitan housing. I got to the point that I felt I couldn't care for my dad like he needed. He had congestive heart failure, and I felt it would be best for him to live with my brother. January, 2001, we moved dad to my brother's apartment. On February 7, 2001, I went to see dad and found him passed away. He had a total of 11 heart attacks. 2, My church family raised most of the money needed to build a handicap room onto my mom and step-dad's trailer. On October 27, I moved into my new room, pictured here. 20 foot by 24 foot. Plenty of room now. 3, I also have a Rascal Power Chair, that I got from the VA. I can still walk, but I have to be very careful if I do. Update After having my feeding tube placed, I continued to lose weight. But I finally stopped at 108 lbs. I have had the tube for a year now, but still able to eat, slowly. More to follow.... What I can/can-not do... These are some of the things I can no longer do: Run, swim, hike, do pushups, drive, bathe myself, shave, write, and cook. These are some of the things I can do with difficulty: Walk, feed myself, chew and swallow food, turn over in bed, answer my e-mail, type, hold a fork, go down stairs, up is easier, but still hard. These are some of the things I can do with no difficulty: Stay busy using my mind, laugh, cry, enjoy the company of my friends, love the people close to me, make people laugh, use the mouse on my computer, work on my web site, raise awareness for ALS. MORE TO FOLLOW LATER