HAMPDEN, Maine, (NEWS CENTER)-- A few years ago a Hampden farmer was told his difficult job was about to become even harder. That's because he was diagnosed with ALS, a fatal neuromuscular disease. But that hasn't stopped George Miller Jr. from doing what he has loved what to do all his life.
ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its functions. George's wife Janice says despite numerous obstacles George never complains.
Janice Von Brook said, "He cant do some of the things he did before. He can still pull himself on to the tractor so he hayed this year. He bailed everyone of the 645 big round bails. But he cant walk, it impacts his breathing, his swallowing, his speech. So, it is difficult in that way. But we still go about our business, run the farm and have fun everyday."
George was diagnosed with ALS in 2006. His battle with ALS is the reason Janice and her daughter Carol are now very involved in the, "Bangor walk to defeat ALS".
Carol Lamb said, "It amazes me when we have this walk and how it has grown every year, that that many people are affected by this rare disease. We had over 350 people last year. That tells me that we are doing the right thing trying to bring people together and let them know they are not alone."
George has his own team for Saturday's walk named, "Fighting for farmer George." Janice is hoping for a good turnout.
Janice says,"The money raised goes to patient services in Maine and in Northern New England area. It also goes to research both locally at the Jackson lab and nationally."
Hoping that someday, research will make a difference in the fight against ALS for people like George.
The 5th Annual Bangor Walk to Defeat ALS® is set to take place at Hayford Park on Thirteenth Street, this Saturday, August 25. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The Walk will begin at 10 a.m. following guest speakers from The Jackson Laboratory and The ALS Association's Northern New England office.
Here is their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bangor-Walk-to-Defeat-ALS/193049070725660?sk=info
NEWS CENTER