SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Carolyn Fulton counts her blessings every day.

Simple things—such as the ability to carry on a conversation, and the love and encouragement of a family and support network—have taken on considerable new meaning since her life was changed by a startling diagnosis.

Despite her almost two-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Fulton still has control of her voice, allowing her to communicate her needs to her husband and primary caregiver, Walter.

But each day, the disease—for which there is no known cause, cure or effective treatment—robs the still vibrant 70-year-old Spanish Fort woman of her motor skills. She speaks with conviction, however, about the need for increased research into the progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

“It’s just such an unknown disease as far as the general public goes. So few people know anything about ALS, and we need more research,” she said, noting medical science is rapidly gaining on such neuromuscular disorders as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, but ALS remains largely a mystery. “We need tons and tons of research finding a cause and a cure, so that people can have some quality of life.”

The Fultons have represented the Alabama chapter of the national ALS Association during the ALS Awareness Month of May.

Lynn Sanderson, patient services coordinator for the association’s Alabama chapter, said the Fultons’ upbeat spirit and desire to help others living with the disease embody the “ALS Across America” movement, recognizing courageous individuals living with the disease and their caregivers.

“Carolyn and Walter joined our chapter in April 2008, and since that time, they have never given up hope, keep a positive attitude about living with ALS and help other support group members to maintain a positive outlook,” Sanderson said.

See the rest of this story in the May 28 Spanish Fort Sun.