In August, The ALS Association launched a weekly series on Instagram called “Portraits of ALS”.
I encourage you to take a moment and meet the others showcased in this series: Mike Deeley, Joseph Irwin, Kim Abbott, Rich Pollock, Trimble McCullogh, Scott Van Velsor, Patricia O’Reilly, Clay A., Chris Douglas, and Tom Ward. Each of their stories is inspiring, heartfelt, thought provoking, and powerful – you won’t regret it.
Kenneth and I are honored to be featured in this weeks edition:
Photo Credit: David S. Irvin, The Portrait Photographers, LLC
“I’m a wife, daughter, ‘dog mama,’ sister, aunt, and friend who was diagnosed with ALS in January 2015, right before my 28th birthday. Close to four years later, I’m still making the most of each day with my husband, Kenneth, and our chocolate Lab, Baloo Bear.
I had to leave my job as director of development and events for a nonprofit late last year, but Kenneth and I are using my ‘retirement’ as an opportunity to check things off our bucket lists.
Three words I’d use to describe myself are ‘sleepy,” ‘bossy,’ and ‘connected.’
And, three things I want you to know about ALS?
- One – It can affect anyone at any time.
- Two – It’s ruthless and unforgiving in every way imaginable.
- And three – The families living with this disease need all of the love, prayers, and support available.
My personal mantra is ‘no apologies, no excuses, no regrets.’
Any day is a good day that involves my smokin’ hot husband, friends and family, and laughing.
One of my favorite quotes is from Lewis Carroll: ‘One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.’
I want my legacy to be that, even though I had every reason to quit, I always invested in loving others, helping in any and every way possible, and never, ever stopped smiling.” — Sunny E., Texas
SunnyStrong 