Over the last month I have had a few opportunities to reflect out loud on my journey with ALS thus far. The support for me and the broader fight for a cure for ALS has been amazing, and it fuels me every day. Below is the substance of my reflection:
I am generally an optimistic person. I believe that life is good and that the glass is perpetually half-full. I believe that going through life as an optimistic person is nice, but it is not enough. On this journey I have learned it is profoundly important to be hopeful There's a difference between being optimistic and being hopeful. Hope is a state of mind – it's resilient – and it can drive you forward A rainy day, a lousy night's sleep, can shake your optimism But nothing, trust me on this, nothing, can shake hope. I am so grateful for the things that give me hope: I am hopeful for the science I am hopeful because of my faith and I am hopeful because of the people around me who support me every day on this journey. Due to a ruptured spleen, Eliza got to deliver these words at the Greenwich International Film Festival, but I made a relatively quick recovery and was able to give the commencement address at Hamden Hall – one of the great honors of my professional life. This Monday morning, Good Morning America will air a piece on the journey our school community has taken this year. I am hoping our message can start conversations – conversations make a difference.
3 Comments
Sara Dixon
6/18/2017 09:06:01 am
Andrew, I was inspired by your hope and how you are living life on your terms despite ALS! You were my champion always about my passion and teachings for mathematics! You inspire me everyday by example.
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gale alanby
6/19/2017 10:38:18 am
Andrew I was so impressed with your speech, and after talking with you, your amazing outlook. I don’t know of many, if any, that can fill those huge shoes of yours. I’m routing for you.
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Jenny Sozzi
6/20/2017 02:47:03 pm
Andrew, you are a true inspiration. I'm in.
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