Hugh served in the Air Force during the Viet Nam War as a Load Master, helping fly in supplies and fly home soldiers. On the morning of 9-11-2001, a neurologist told Hugh he had ALS. He was an advertising executive who made his living by talking to clients. ALS struck his mouth first, rendering him unable to speak. Hugh used computers and hand-printed signs to communicate. He also invented things to help make his altered life easier. Hugh developed 3 superhero comic books, with ALS as the villain and him as the hero called Hughman. Hugh fought the good fight, and lived for four years with ALS.