If you knew you had a terminal disease and had only a few years to live, how would you spend your time?
Jennifer Estess was just 35 years old when she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to waste away eventually leading to death. There is no known cure.
After Jennifer was diagnosed with ALS, one of her doctors suggested she travel, spend time with her family and friends and even hinted that she consider maxing out her credit cards. An energetic, talented and quick witted young woman, Jennifer worked hard to maintain as normal a life as possible even as the disease stole all of her physical abilities. For the first several months, Jennifer focused her energy on finding someone, something that would cure her. She tried just about everything imaginable including several sessions with a psychic minister. But, nothing helped. Jennifer and her two sisters, Meredith and Valerie, were at the end of the road when it occurred to her that they had been looking in the wrong places for answers. "In our sadness and desperation, we had forgotten our own true strength. Then we stopped looking outside and turned our attention in."
She and her sisters chose to fight the disease by taking action. Together they founded Project A.L.S. to help fund research enabling scientists to collaborate from around the world to find a cure for ALS. Since its inception in 1997, Project A.L.S. has raised over $23 million leading to promising discoveries in the areas of gene therapy and stem cell research. Jennifer Estess died at the age of 40 but lives on through her efforts in Project A.L.S. She chose to build a legacy instead of maxing out her credit cards and many people will benefit from that choice.
To build a legacy, you need one thing: a sincere desire to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Being a part of something bigger than yourself gives your life a sense of purpose and meaning. It has intangible rewards. It makes you feel better. It energizes you. It props you up in the most difficult of times.
You may never face an overwhelming difficulty as Jennifer Estess faced, but you too can leave a legacy. What will be the difference you make? What legacy will you have?
Make today count.
Doug Kelsey
Chief Physical Therapist
P.S. I'm excited about 3 new ways we have for you to plug into the difference we're making in the lives of our clients and other clinicians - part of our legacy.
- Ready Radio - our online radio show hosted by myself and Christine Springer, PT.
- Inside Sports Center - a special weblog designed to share clinical insights with other orthopedic practitioners from around the world.
- Seminars for 2006 - our schedule for the public and practitioners is posted. Register early to save money and your seat!
