David Oyler was halfway across the globe in Iraq when it struck. The seemingly healthy Alabama National Guard sergeant suddenly had trouble running or standing for long periods. Later, he noticed a curious muscle twitch in his shoulder. Three years later, Oyler, 44, is confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed a little more each week by ALS. But David still has hope. Hope is a big thing when you have a disease like this," Oyler has said. "If you ever lose hope, then you're giving up."