Michael's story with ALS is short. Michael began having difficulty walking in January of 2012. We believed it was related to his back issues. He had fusion surgery, but that didn't help the drop foot he was experiencing. When we went back to the neurosurgeon in June of 2012, he indicated Michael was suffering from a degenerative nerve disease. Two days later at AGH Hospital in Pittsburgh, he was diagnosed with ALS. Michael had great faith in the Lord and he was not afraid to die. He passed away in my arms on November 1st at the Butler VA Hospital.