Is Lou Gehrig's Disease a Joke?

(This article was first published in the Asheville, NC Citizen-Times newspaper and is used here by permission.)

Movie scriptwriter Seth McFarlane thinks it is. Actor Mark Wahlberg thinks it is, too.

I am referring to a joke in the recently released movie, Ted. The Wahlberg character says, "I hope you get Lou Gehrig's disease." That's it. That's the joke: "I hope you get Lou Gehrig's disease." As of July 29th, the film had earned over 233 million dollars. A lot of people have laughed at this joke.

I don't think the joke is funny. I have suffered with Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS, since I was diagnosed in early February 2007. The disease has taken from me my abilities to walk, talk, eat, or take care of myself. As a result, I can no longer work, drive a car, or live in my own home. ALS is a fatal illness. It will take my life unless a cure is found.

Of course, I would not think the joke was funny if it was about cancer, which my father survived, or heart disease, which killed him. I would not laugh if it was about Alzheimer's disease, which claimed my mother's mind and then her life. I would not be amused if the joke was about diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis or cystic fibrosis or Parkinson's disease or leukemia or any of the other diseases that plague the human race.

The ALS Association issued a statement describing the joke as "tasteless." The ALS Therapy Development Institute expressed "outrage." Eric Valor, a man with ALS, started a petition calling on McFarlane and Wahlberg to understand the "living hell that is Lou Gehrig's disease." They didn't think the joke was funny either.

Seth McFarlane issued a statement expressing compassion for ALS victims. He went on to defend the joke rather than apologize for it. He did not respond to requests to give money to ALS research, tour an ALS research facility, or meet people with ALS.

Maybe I should let it go. It is only a movie. Other movies are now box office leaders. There is some consolation that the words "Lou Gehrig's disease" are known well enough to be included in a movie.

But I can't give it up. It hits too close to home. It hurts people I care about.

Michelle Farr is beautiful in appearance and spirit. Her husband inherited a gene from his parents that gives him and their children a fifty-fifty chance of getting Lou Gehrig's disease. This happens in about ten percent of ALS cases. Michelle has done extensive research into her husband's family and found that over 400 members have died from the disease. She and her husband hope that their children will not get ALS. I met her through social media. Somehow she manages to smile in all her pictures.

I met a cute eight-year-old boy who has ALS. He smiles in all his pictures, too.

Lou Gehrig's disease is no laughing matter. Michelle and her children and the boy and his parents would agree.

I Love St. James Episcopal Church

(The following article was first published in the St. James Episcopal Church newsletter, The Epistle, and is used here by permission.)

I invited a friend to church recently. It wasn't hard. You should try it sometime.

She came to worship with me. I was able to look at our church anew through her eyes. This is what I saw:

* The Processional: We begin our worship when the cross is held high before us. It is an empty cross, a symbol of the resurrection of our Lord, so we know that our worship will be good news. The clergy do not lead the cross but follow it as we all do. The young people who carry the cross and the candles show that the young, the weak, and the dependent are valued among us.

* The Reading of Scripture: We value the Scriptures and believe that the Spirit speaks to us through them. We hear, read, and chant four readings from the Bible each Sunday. The Gospel is read within the congregation to show that Jesus came among us to love and save us. The words of Scripture shape our lives.

* The Preaching: We heard from Joel about the General Convention. He told us that the Episcopal Church is not perfect and that it needs to change. I am glad my friend heard this. The churches that claim to be perfect and need not change are useless. Or dangerous.

* The Nicene Creed: We recited an ancient creed that reminds us and tells others what we believe. We have received from our spiritual ancestors "the faith once delivered to the saints" and we will pass it on to our spiritual descendants.

* The Prayers of the People: We prayed for huge issues like justice and peace for the world, we prayed for individuals celebrating birthdays, and we prayed for most everything in-between. We prayed for the Church Universal and the church particular, St. James. We prayed for our president, governor, and mayor whether we liked them or not. We prayed for our clergy and the sick and the dead and those in the military who are in danger. You can learn a lot about what is important to people when you hear them pray.

* The Passing of the Peace: Then, and during the coffee hour, my friend was greeted warmly and received hugs from people who knew her. I did not have to tell her we are a loving church. We showed her.

* The Service of the Eucharist: We heard the great story of God's creation of the universe and ourselves, our falling away from God, and Jesus' ministry to restore our relationship with God. Then we ate the bread and drank the wine. My friend, although a baptized Christian, chose not to partake. She is always invited and always welcome.

* The Prayer Team: My friend joined me for prayer in the chapel at the end of the service. People who loved me gathered around my chair. They put their hands on my shoulders and arms, held my hands, and prayed for my healing with love and hope. I am glad my friend saw their loving prayers.

I do not think that my friend understood all that she saw when she worshipped with us. If she returns, we can begin to explain these things to her. I do know that we helped her. She told me so. The experience helped me, too, for it helped me love St. James Episcopal Church.

As I said, I invited a friend to church. You should try it sometime.