Name: Ruth Johnson

Hometown, State: Born in Edinburg, TX. Lives in La Feria, TX

Age: 69

Family:
Husband: Jerry Johnson (51 years)
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 17
Great-grandchildren: 3

Hobbies/Interests: Collect nativity scenes, online games, books on tape, family and ministry work with her husband

Date of ALS diagnosis: 2001

Tell us about your life before ALS:
After the last of [her] four children was in school, Ruth began to teach in the elementary grades. For 13 years she taught in the classroom and after she completed her master's degree in administration, she was an elementary school principal in the La Feria school district.

Her life has been involved in church from a very early age. She has followed her preacher husband to seminary and has taught the children, youth and, for many years, the adult ladies class in Sunday School. She is now the Adult Department Director for her Sunday School.

Tell us about your life with ALS:
The first sign of ALS started about 10 years ago. I first began to lose the use of my legs, and gradually the disease has moved up my body, taking away all of my motor nerves and leaving me paralyzed up to my neck. I still have a little movement in my fingers, which so far allows me to use my power chair.

I feel very privileged to have had the very best medical care that can be provided. I feel privileged to have a family that has been extremely supportive and caring. I feel privileged to live at a time when handicap equipment is so advanced, such as power wheelchairs, handicap vans, power lifts and so many other advantages that other folks before me did not have. Life is not easy with ALS, but I am so privileged to have the Lord that sees me through the hard times.

Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.:
ALS has certainly caused me to have a new appreciation for my family. All of my children and grandchildren have pitched in to make my life easier. I think the disease has brought our family closer and we have found ways, through family reunions, cruises, vacations and camping trips, to be together more.

List your favorite quote:
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Do you have a “life motto” or “profound words to live by”:
"We're in charge of our attitude – so it's up to us to be joyful!"

Has there been an “a-ha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS?
Seeing all the children at MDA Clinic has made me so grateful that I wasn't affected until I was in my 60s. It's always so hard to see those kids and all they are dealing with.

Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story?
Faith makes it possible to live with ALS…love from family and friends make it easier.