New Orleans Saints: Steve Gleason keeps fighting for people with ALS
By Dean Mullen
Steve Gleason has already done so much for the city, ALS, and the human spirit. Now he’s making sure that people like him, will be able to continue to live productive lives.
Perhaps no one knew who Steve Gleason was before September 25th, 2006. The whole world was watching. This would be the first time the New Orleans Saints took the field at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome since Katrina.
Be that as it may, the story ended up becoming about an issue that no one could have forseen. The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. However, history was just getting started. To setup how big the game was, just listen to what these players said.
Perhaps Scott Shanle said it best:
"“We were called the ‘misfits’ that year because he had a lot of guys that other teams didn’t want.”"
That night the most prominent play in Saints history happened.
Watching that play to this day gives me goosebumps all over. Everyone knows exactly where they were when this happened. The play was so symbolic of a city that was going into the REBIRTH phase of coming back. One man and one play is still ingrained in every single Saints fan forever.
Presumably, that was going to be story. Nothing could top that. Steve Gleason made the most memorable play in almost 40 years in the black and gold uniform.
Most people now know that Steve Gleason would be hit with a huge setback with ALS years later. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is an unrelenting disease. It’s a rare disease that can affect everything from speech, chewing, breathing, and talking just to name a few. Here is more information that explains the details on the scientific explanation.
Most people would say that this is a deadly disease and a death sentence. However, Steve Gleason has taken the hit and has breathed life into people that have this. One man can make a difference, and he’s not stopping anytime soon.
Steve Gleason is his own words:
"“Currently, I use a machine that helps me breathe, and I have a breathing tube for nutrition. I communicate by typing with my eyes onto a tablet attached to my wheelchair. I am able to use the same device to drive my wheelchair, pay bills, call/text/email/ for help take selfies, play a video for my son, stream music and much more. This technology is life-sustaining, and it allows me to be independent and productive, in a sense, this tablet is a cure for me.” – Steve Gleason"
This is his cure right now and he’s making sure that people with the same disease have that same access through a permanent law through congress. The Steve Gleason Act was passed into law to provide just that. However, Medicare was changed two years ago to take that same device away from others. Gleason is probably the only person that can get both sides together on one issue. He is the ultimate FIGHTER.
Hopefully, congress can get one thing right and make this law permanent. This is more than just a device. It’s simply the only way, people like Steve can live and be productive citizens throughout their lives. My money is on Steve Gleason. He is exactly what is right about this world. He is my HERO.