Friday, May 8, 2009 9:12 PM CDT
Family honored for courage in face of disease
By BOB FALLSTROM, Staff Writer
DECATUR — Doug Scherer is on prayer lists from California to Israel.
The 59-year-old Decatur man is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
ALS is a “rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscles,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Confined to a motorized wheelchair, Scherer can’t lift his arms.
The ALS Association’s St. Louis regional chapter has proclaimed Scherer and his 54-year-old wife and caregiver, Viki, the family that best exemplifies the spirit of “ALS Across America” for the chapter during ALS Awareness Month in May.
From Mattoon, Scherer played trumpet in the Eastern Illinois University Jazz Band.
The Scherers will travel by Amtrak to Washington, D.C., Sunday through Tuesday for the national ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference.
The national campaign recognizes courageous individuals with ALS and their caregivers who are role models, reflecting the spirit of the organization, embodying the spirit of living life to the fullest. The disease usually has a survival rate of three to five years from the time of diagnosis.
Scherer was diagnosed in November 2007. “Doug fell while we were visiting Israel,” Viki Scherer said. “Then, we had a wedding to attend, and Doug couldn’t tie his necktie. He began falling frequently; he had muscle twitches.”
It turns out that the disease is familial ALS. Scherer’s mother and aunt died from the disease.
A Decatur city bus driver for 31 years, Scherer was never ill. He took one sick day during his career. “He did everything right,” Mrs. Scherer said. “He ate right; he exercised right.”
Scherer can talk and eat. ALS attacks the arms and legs and the swallowing process. “He’s gaining a little weight, that’s a good sign,” Mrs. Scherer said. “He is taking an experimental drug in a research program at Washington University in St. Louis. There is also hope in stem cell research.”
Scherer has hope. He remains optimistic, positive he will some day be back on his feet.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Scherer said God has provided for their needs. Bus drivers, school teachers and friends combined to build a wheelchair ramp. Chair lifts have been donated. The ALS Association has loaned equipment. The Harvest Christian Center church community has been supportive. Scholarships will pay for continued education for daughter Sarah at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.
Michael, the Scherers’ son, has his own musical production company, DreamVision Productions.
“I remember wondering how in the world we were going to make it financially,” Mrs. Scherer said. “So many times God has kept us one step ahead of the disease’s progression.”
Joy Meachum of Peoria, Doug Scherer’s case worker, sees about 50 patients. She said the association is seeking legislation to give special benefits to caregivers such as Viki Scherer, who had to give up employment in order to care for Doug.
Sharon Gacki of the ALS Association points out: “Doug and Viki give us the energy, determination and motivation to face the challenges of managing ALS and finding a treatment or cure. Doug reminds us that it is not just Lou’s disease, it is everyone’s disease.
“Doug has always been the person behind the scenes to quietly help others. He has a true servant’s heart.”
Contact Bob Fallstrom at bfallstrom@herald-review.com or 421-7981.
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Rohn Gordon wrote on May 9, 2009 9:47 AM:
GOOD LUCK DOUG "