Name: Owen J. McVann

Hometown, State: Milwaukee, WI

Age: 51

Family:
Wife: Laura McVann
Daughter: Meghan (13)
Son: Evan (12)

Hobbies/Interests:
Crew (sport of rowing)

Date of ALS diagnosis:
May 17, 1997

Tell us about your life before ALS:
I was employed as a medical Speech-Language Pathologist in a large regional medical center in Racine, WI. I had on occasion treated ALS patients. I would see them, usually toward their later stages, when their eating, swallowing and speech had significantly deteriorated.
I was also heavily involved in the sport of rowing, being still an active competitor for over 30 years. My children were young and my wife stayed home with them while I worked.

Tell us about your life with ALS:
Never, even in my nightmares, had I ever expected to follow in the path of my ALS patients. I’m very fortunate to have a slowly progressing disease. I continued working as a Speech-Language Pathologist for four years (on a gradually reduced work schedule). My wife and I have had a role reversal. I now stay home with the kids, as she has returned to work. I remained active in the sport of rowing by becoming a crew coach at Marquette University of Milwaukee, WI.

Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.:
I believe much of the weight of life’s daily burdens have eased off my shoulders. I now experience life with a heightened intensity. Sunsets, placid waters, my children’s laughter, chocolate, brisk autumn air, and my wife’s caresses fill my senses with a new vividness. I take my wife and children out for ice cream more frequently now and eat the exotic foods I crave while I’m still able to.
My treatment of all my hospitalized patients was made with a heightened sense of empathy. I’d never been a better therapist than what I’d become after my diagnosis.

As coach of the crew team, my squad reached a level of national recognition after five years of my involvement.

Of greatest significance for me has been the increased empathetic care of my patients while I was still employed; playing a major role in the lives of my university students whom I’ve coached; and experienced a heightened joy in watching my children grow.