My friend was diagnosed about three years ago, and knew something was wrong when he started tripping over the carpet. He's now 55 years old, and prior to becoming ill with ALS was very active and an outdoor enthusiast. I met him almost a year ago through volunteering with hospice, and at the time he could no longer walk but still had some strength in his legs. He could not move his arms, but had a little mobility yet in his fingers. He was still able to speak and swallow without any problems. He was pain-free up until a few months ago. Around September his diaphragm started becoming paralyzed, and over the past couple months, he has deteriorated quickly. It's very difficult to understand what he is trying to say, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to swallow. He's now in a very nice in-patient hospice facility and is getting excellent care. I thought I had an idea of how this disease progressed, until I started reading all the stories here and came to learn that there isn't a lot typical about how ALS progresses. So, now I don't know how much longer he has to live, but I can't imagine it could be very much longer. His name is Mike; I'd really appreciate it if you would keep him in your prayers. Thank you. Sharon.