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“ALS: Anyone’s
  Life Story”
May 2008
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MDA’s ALS Division introduces you to 31 people  - one each day for the month of May - who are living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease). 

This series was inspired by Augie Nieto, ALS Division Co-Chairperson, who says that since his ALS diagnosis, instead of striving for success, his goal each day is to be significant.

In their own words, otherwise “ordinary” people describe the impact of living with a progressive, incurable and deadly disease. But their stories also tell how ALS has brought new significance to their lives in ways that you might not expect. 

ALS can become anyone’s life story. Please join MDA’s world-leading effort to stop it. 

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Alfred Caffiero  
Alfred Caffiero

Name: Alfred Caffiero

Hometown, State: Williamsville, New York

Age: 74

Family:
Wife: Karen
Daughters: Bethann, Leanne
Grandchildren: Jennifer (21), Ryan (18), Sophia (5)

Hobbies/Interests: Raising money for MDA, ALS research, and my scholarship at University of Buffalo’s physical therapy program. Being a resource for people who have ALS.

Date of ALS diagnosis: Spring 1995

Tell us about your life before ALS:
I was a partner in a large physical therapy company called WNY PT & OT Group.

Tell us about your life with ALS:
I am one of the lucky ones who has a slow type of ALS. I still drive a wheelchair van and visit my clinics. I also help the students at UB's PT school by giving lectures and have them use me for demonstration in their labs.

Tell us how ALS has brought new significance to any aspect of your life - family, attitude, hobbies/passions, career, etc.:
I have learned to appreciate every day as a gift. I have realized the value of kindness, love and true friends. I wake up every day thanking God for another day. I hope that I will see a day that they find more about this horrible disease.

List your favorite quote:
A positive attitude doesn't require a prescription!

Do you have a “life motto” or “profound words to live by”:
As a physical therapist, I always taught my students that you treat patients as you would want to be treated if you had their disease.

Has there been an “a-ha!” moment or a specific turn of events that has helped you live with ALS?
Once I was given my diagnosis of 2 to 4 years to live, I decided, as a physical therapist, that I would dedicate the rest of my time to helping people with ALS, as well as raising money for MDA and ALS research.

Is there anything else about you and/or ALS that you want to share with people who read your story?
It has been over 13 years since my diagnosis. Not a day goes by that I don't receive an e-mail from someone recently diagnosed with ALS. We have to join together and put an end to this deadly disease. Tell all of your friends about MDA and what they can do to help.
 
 
 
 
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