Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Faces of ALS”
For Dr. Andrew Goldberg, life has always been about solving complex puzzles. As a former Chief Technology Officer and Vice President at AbbVie, he spent over 30 years bringing technological advances to the world of pharmaceuticals. But today, the 53-year-old …
Humor, heart, and a 100-foot circle of care. For Lisa Kostrzeski, a 43-year-old Chicago native and registered nurse of 22 years, these are the tools her family uses to navigate life with ALS. “I’ve always been a talker, and I …
Diane Rutledge passed away from complications related to ALS on February 3, 2026. The story that follows is based on an interview with Diane that took place in January with the help of the assistive communication technologies mentioned below. In …
For nearly 15 years, the heat, rhythm, and camaraderie of Chicago’s kitchens shaped Kate Milashus’s world. After putting herself through culinary school at 28 and landing her first chef position at 30, she found a home among pastry bags, ovens, …
When Monica O’Callaghan was diagnosed with ALS in 2022, her daughters Natalie and Mary knew their lives were about to change. But they also knew one thing for sure: they wouldn’t let ALS define what came next. “Neither of us …
Trevor Storm is no stranger to the fragility of life. As a hospice nurse from Shelbyville, Illinois, a small town of fewer than 5,000 people, he has spent his career helping families navigate their most vulnerable moments. But it wasn’t …
At 76 years old, Jim Halstead can no longer move between the lecture halls of DePaul University or preside at Sunday mass like he once did. But his days are still rich with meaning, reflection, and connection—albeit quieter and more …
For Satrina Bryant-Higgins, family is everything. Her three children and three grandchildren are the center of her world. “We are all we have, and we have a great relationship,” she says. “Whenever I see my grandbabies, it brightens my whole …
For Ken Trent and his family, those six words—never back down, never give up—have become their motto. His youngest daughter first said them, and now they guide the Trent family through each day. “ALS takes away your independence,” says Ken. …
Bryan Szymczak has always run toward danger. For 26 years, he fought fires in cities across Illinois, until an ALS diagnosis forced him into early retirement. It began with a weakness in his right thumb, which he chalked up to …
