For some unknown reason, people who have served in the military are twice as likely to die from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Usually an article written in the Rehabmart library is often written to inform customers about the many fine medical supplies offered by Rehabmart.  But this article is a little different.  This article is not about information or explanations about back braces or hyperbaric chambers or the best types of exam tables for a medical facility.  This article is about hope and pride. 

Hope for a cure for a terrible and deadly disease and the pride of individuals willing to commit the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of the United States.  The ALS Association is combining both of these attributes on their 'Wall of Honor - Saluting our military heroes with ALS'.

Rehabmart has a history of working on GSA Contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs and is therefore proud to honor all the men and women in the Armed Services.  Besides assisting the veterans and their families by offering the best prices possible on medical supplies, Rehabmart is also proud to forward the great work of the ALS Association and their tribute to veterans with ALS on its Wall Of Honor.

The Wall of Honor features photos and stories of veterans who not only offered to defend the liberty of the United States with their lives, it also shows the too many veterans that have or are  waging tremendous battles against a personal enemy, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  It seems, for reasons unknown at this time, that people who served in the armed forces are twice as likely to die from Lou Gehrig's Disease as civilians, or people in the general population.

According to Jane H. Gilbert, President and CEO of The ALS Association, "Today, veterans living with ALS are fighting a war in which they have no way to defend themselves.  People who served in the military are being unfairly targeted by this devastating disease, and the reason for this disparity is still unknown."

There are almost 200 veterans with ALS from every branch of the military and from all across the United States who are currently profiled on The Wall of Honor.  With Veterans from before World War II to the present, the wall includes both those living with ALS and those who have lost their last great battle to this enemy who wears no uniform.

In explaining the reason behind The Wall of Honor, Ms. Gilbert states, "We hope these impactful stories will help raise awareness so that more and more resources become available to help in the fight against ALS.  The ALS Association will continue to advocate with elected officials and government agencies to ensure veterans with ALS and their families have timely access to vital care and benefits and also to increase funding and advance policies that accelerate the search for the cause, treatment and a cure."

To understand the emotion, pride and faith behind the veterans and their families, the ALS Association encourages everybody to sacrifice a few moments of time, as a honorarium to the people who are and were willing to commit the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we all enjoy, and visit the Wall of Honor and see the faces and read the stories of their military service and their battle against this unseen  take-no- prisoners of an enemy.  To share the courage of not only the veteran, but of the families who fight alongside their private heroes.

During the month of November, the ALS Association would like to raise the flag of awareness to let all veterans and their families know the fact that Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a classified service-connected disease and that any veteran and their survivors who are living and battling with Lou Gehrig's Disease are eligible for significant health and disability benefits. 

Any veteran who has served at least 90 continuous days on active duty and who has been diagnosed with ALS is eligible for benefits.  It doesn't matter when or where a veteran has served his or her country while in the military, nor when he or she was diagnosed with this disease.  Plus the survivors of veterans with ALS are eligible for benefits, no matter if their loved one passed away years or decades ago.

With over twenty-one million veterans living in the United States today, many of these heroes have already offered their service and lives, if needed, to our country, and now is the time for our country to help them fight for their lives against yet another enemy.

Rehabmart is proud to say "Thank you to all of our active military personnel and veterans, thank you to the ALS Association for the help and service you also provide, and God bless America."

I personally would also like to thank all of my compatriots in the armed forces and also to the memory of my best friend and best man at my wedding, Don Drapinski, who passed away from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

William J. Stock
Sgt.,  Combat Psychiatric Medic
United States Air Force (1984-1989)