http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_121_Incurably_Hopeful.mp3 Dick talks with Jill Hollis, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. Her illness has no cure. But she maintains - surprisingly - that if she could take a pill to make it go away, she would not. Plone 2.0 http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_121_Incurably_Hopeful.mp3/logo.jpg http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_121_Incurably_Hopeful.mp3 <h4>Incurably hopeful</h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/f9e13c5352fd10476d55e33d2e8ab113" alt="Jill and Megan" height="100" width="100" />Jill Hollis and her daughter Megan at an ALS walk</p><p>About 20,000 Americans have Lou Gehrig's disease -- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). New government studies show a link between ALS and people who have done military service. It’s a connection doctors don’t fully understand yet, but the research does show some progress in our understanding of this mysterious, incurable disease.</p><p>The disease kills by attacking the nerve cells that control movement, and most patients die within three to five years of diagnosis.  </p><p>Jill Hollis was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.  Today, she is a faithful patient at an ALS Clinic at Duke University, and she feels great.  Dick talks with Jill about what having the disease has taught her about herself, her marriage, and her family.  </p><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/71c756bce4b35b932f5105ec25424467" alt="Richard Bedlack" height="100" width="100" />Rick Bedlack</p><p>Dick also talks with her doctor, Rick Bedlack, about new research and what gives him hope that the people he treats will one day be leading healthier lives.</p><ul><li>Learn more about <a href="http://www.dukealsclinic.com/" target="_self">Dr. Bedlack's clinic</a></li><li>Visit an <a href="http://www.catfishchapter.org/index.html" target="_self">organization</a> that helps ALS patients and their families</li></ul><p><a title="Add To This Story" class="addbtn" href="resolveuid/cc2a8297b6c0d5c86538f03c46448d35" target="_self">Add to story</a></p><h4>Your story - Scott Ruff</h4><p><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/df346f80007191b13efa3c66beb9dc7a" alt="Scott Ruff" height="100" width="100" />Scott Ruff specializes in "ethnographic architecture" from the African tradition. But his route to architecture almost stopped outright. As a black student at an Ivy League school he nearly dropped out. He is now a professor of architecture at Syracuse University. Dick talks to Scott about how he overcame the pressure and found success.</p><p><a title="Add To This Story" class="addbtn" href="resolveuid/cc2a8297b6c0d5c86538f03c46448d35" target="_self">Add to story</a></p> Thu, 16 Nov 2006 04:00:00