Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Alexander Coriell
Most people are familiar with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, but many people may be unaware of the specifics of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a group of neurological diseases that attack the nerve cells that control voluntary movement (2018). ALS progressively affects motor function. For example, a person with ALS may notice weakness of upper and lower extremities, then lose their ability to walk. They may start losing ROM and strength to move the arms, eventually becoming too weak to use arms or fingers. This progression is shown in Alex Coriell’s journey, which can be accessed here. Alex used a motorized wheelchair to stay mobile after he lost the ability to walk and use his arms. He was still able to use his head and nose to perform occupations such as typing and painting. I chose this disorder to deepen my understanding of ALS beyond the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I was not aware that it affected occupation on such an extreme level. I have learned that although the disease progressively affects motor function, it had little effect on Alex’s cognition. He explained that he was still able to think about the occupations he loved, but he just could not complete them. I would recommend others to watch the video of Alex’s journey to gain a deeper understanding of the severity of the disease and what signs and symptoms may appear.
Henderson, W. (2018, February 1). Alex coriell’s journey with als. ALS News Today. Retrieved July 29, 2020 from https://alsnewstoday.com/2018/02/01/alex-coriells-journey-with-als/?utm_source=ALS+News&utm_campaign=856209f0b7-RSS_FRIDAY_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0593028b75-856209f0b7-71721017
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als) fact sheet. Retrieved July 29, 2020 from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Amyotrophic-Lateral-Sclerosis-ALS-Fact-Sheet
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