Why dinosaurs are extinct

I love this photo

This photograph was taken by an ALS pal, Dorothy, in Powel River. Her pets are enjoying the first snowfall. I wonder what they'll think of tomorrow?

Who gets ALS?

As many as 20,000-30,000 people in the United States have ALS, and an estimated 5,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with the disease each year. ALS is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, and people of all races and ethnic backgrounds are affected. ALS most commonly strikes people between 40 and 60 years of age, but younger and older people also can develop the disease. Men are affected more often than women.

In 90 to 95 percent of all ALS cases, the disease occurs apparently at random with no clearly associated risk factors. Patients do not have a family history of the disease, and their family members are not considered to be at increased risk for developing ALS.

About 5 to 10 percent of all ALS cases are inherited. The familial form of ALS usually results from a pattern of inheritance that requires only one parent to carry the gene responsible for the disease. About 20 percent of all familial cases result from a specific genetic defect that leads to mutation of the enzyme known as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Research on this mutation is providing clues about the possible causes of motor neuron death in ALS. Not all familial ALS cases are due to the SOD1 mutation, therefore other unidentified genetic causes clearly exist.

Glutamate

Studies have focused on the role of glutamate in motor neuron degeneration. Glutamate is one of the chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in the brain.

Scientists have found that, compared to healthy people, ALS patients have higher levels of glutamate in the serum and spinal fluid. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that neurons begin to die off when they are exposed over long periods to excessive amounts of glutamate. Now, scientists are trying to understand what mechanisms lead to a buildup of unneeded glutamate in the spinal fluid and how this imbalance could contribute to the development of ALS.

First Snowfall in the City by Tess and Karyn

Tess(my Care Aide) set up my tripod and adjusted it for my weak jiggly hands and arms. I could barely snap the photos but managed to get some good ones with my Lumix Panasonic DMC-FZ18 with magnifications varying from 1-18. Tess used my Sony DSC-W100 with only a magnification of 2-8 but by importing and cropping the photos were great.

I love winter and snow so you will be bombarded with more photos in the months to come.

Preservatives

Secrets

Nov.11th

It's always a sad day but as long as there is violence, religion, and hatred there will be wars.

Some times you capture a moment

Tonight I watched the setting sun reflect on the city--and then a rainbow! Nature offers so much beauty, but often I was too busy to notice. One thing positive about being in a wheelchair is that I never move very fast, therefore getting the opportunity to see what I once might have missed. Tonight was glorious.

Getting Better

I'm healing and getting used to carers pumping water into me. LOL. I had a good day out in the sunshine for shopping and lunch.
Life is forever changing and getting more difficult but I still laugh and enjoy most days.