sorry
hi there.
also sorry you have to be here but the group on this forum is quite an amazing bunch. my aunt has ALS and it seems that it is common from time to time to have those emotional outbursts. i have read about them too. how confusing for you and most likely frustrating for the sufferer.
best advice i can give you is a repeat of what al said in his posting. just be there for your father. it's a very difficult disease to face but, my god, how lucky so many of us are to have such wonderful family and friends. to know that you are not and never will be alone at this time is a very big deal, i would imagine. i live very far from my aunt but i call her every day and i send her tons of emails and i have flown out to see her as much as i can. she has wonderful friends and a big family. i feel so thankful for that - knowing she is loved and cared for at this time.
the other advice i can give is to try your best to keep life going. try to get your dad doing things that he enjoys. or seeing / experiencing new things. this ALS can really get you down and realizing that life goes on WITH ALS makes a huge difference in someone's attitude toward each day. i have been sending my aunt hockey tickets (she's a huge hockey fan) and restaurant gift certificates etc. if i was there, i'd take her out myself. it keeps her mind on the fact that she's got lots to live for.
hope this helps.

nicole