The impact of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on the Hispanic community isn’t widely known. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a devastating diagnosis that affects not only those living with it but their families as well. Even though it impacts 11% of Latinos, ALS is rarely talked about within the Hispanic community.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement. Over time, people lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow and eventually lose the ability to breathe.
On this episode of “Horizonte,” host Catherine Anaya spoke with ALS advocates Ernie and Vanessa Ruiz about their journey with ALS and how they continue to live life to the fullest.
Ernie Ruiz was diagnosed with ALS in 2023 after a 25-year military career in the U.S. Air Force. Ruiz was told there was no cure for ALS, and it was a heavy weight on Ruiz and his family. But Ruiz and his wife, Vanessa, are taking it day by day and continuing to do what they love.
“Every day, he is showing up, and we’re doing the things right. We’re going to the baseball games, and we just went fishing last weekend. Like we are living life with ALS. We’re not letting ALS live our life for us,” Vanessa said.
President and CEO of ALS Arizona Taryn Lopez Norley also joined us to discuss the effects of ALS on the body as well as what ALS Arizona is doing to help so many families live life with this debilitating disease.
ALS Arizona provides care coordination, equipment loans, support groups and direct financial and emotional support all free of charge. Visit the ALS Arizona website for more details.
