NOTE: I plan to update this post with more mini-documetaries. So keep scrolling to read/watch updates.
October 15, 2006

My mother, Glenna Moore, was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise to the family as her “creeping paralysis” has become much more pronounced in the last few months.
ALS is a neurological disease where motor neurons from the brain stop reaching one’s muscles. When muscles no longer receive neurons, muscles cease to move. And when muscles stop moving, paralysis sets in. There is no cure for ALS and patients that suffer from this disease live a life of work-arounds.
At first, patients use a cane to help steady themselves when walking. And when walking becomes too challenging, patients start using walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters as their work-around to get around. Patients also lose the ability to move their arms and hands and thus need to find new ways to write, eat, dress, etc. One’s speech also becomes affected and eventually, ALS patients lose their ability to speak.
But patients do not lose the ability of their mind, nor the sparkle in their eyes. Dementia does not set in with ALS patients and that is what makes this disease so devastating. Sufferers suffer from the inability to move their voluntary muscles but they do not lose the ability to mentally comprehend what is happening to their body. Eventually, ALS patients lose the ability of their involuntary muscles, namely the ability to breathe, and subsequently patients lose their life.
As I mentioned, the family wasn’t surprised to learn of the ALS diagnosis and I had mentally and spiritually prepared myself for that diagnosis months ago.
And it was months ago when I began a special project to capture some of the stories my mom knows. Glenna Moore is our family historian and resident storyteller. She knows so much about intimate relatives and distant relatives. Unfortunately, I’ve never paid much attention to her stories through the years. I realize now … that’s my loss.
So to make up for my past mistakes of not paying enough attention to her stories, I sat down with my mother in August and recorded her telling stories while she shared family photos with me. I plan to turn her stories and photos into mini-documentaries. The first mini-documentary I’ve put together shares the story of the wedding between my parents, Al and Glenna Moore.
Glenna Moore -- The Wedding Story
click the 'play button' below to view
RSS readers click here to watch the video.
And since my mother regularly reads this blog, I must tell her something … your son loves you and thanks you for everything. Keep your spirits high and keep your friends close by. We are all here to help you as you’ve spent your life helping all of us. It’s time for us to return your kindness in full.
November 27, 2006
The ALS disease is progressing as expected with my Mother. Which means ... each day Glenna Moore finds doing everyday activities like talking, writing, and swallowing a little more difficult to do. She gets around using a nifty scooter and takes more naps during the day to help keep her energy level high at opportune times. This Thanksgiving weekend provided my Mom lots of opportune times to spend with her grandchildren.
I recently completed the second mini-documentary sharing stories and memories from my Mother. It shares photos of all the Moore children beginning with Lana, then Trip, and it closes with the twins—Marty and John (me). With each photo of the children, my Mother shares quick stories and memories. Enjoy.
Glenna Moore -- And Here Come the Children
click the 'play button' below to view
RSS Readers … click here to watch the video.
April 30, 2007
Glenna’s mother, Margaretta, was active in keeping scrapbooks throughout her life. Luckily, many of Margaretta’s scrapbooks have survived the years and are still in good enough condition to flip through the pages.
Before ALS progressed with my mother, she shared stories about the people and the photos from a scrapbook her Mom crafted for her when she was a young child.
The following video documentary shares amusing childhood stories from my Mom’s remarkable life. Enjoy.
Direct link to the video on Google
[NOTE: The audio for this documentary was recorded in August of 2006.]
May 9, 2007
As they finished dinner recently, my parents started reminiscing about their first dates. Luckily, I had my video camera nearby and was able to capture some precious stories and heartfelt footage.
Al and Glenna have been married for nearly 45 years and to hear the unbridled joy in my Dad’s voice thrills me. He truly found the greatest love of all. Enjoy.
John,
My prayers and blessings are with you, your Mom and your entire family. The first documentary is beautiful. I look forward to the others.
Lewis
Posted by: Lew | October 15, 2006 at 10:25 AM
Dear John,
There is an authentic beauty in the way you are honoring your mother here.
I'd say she is a fortunate mother just as you are a fortunate son.
Keep creating,
Mike
Posted by: Michael | October 17, 2006 at 11:25 PM
Thanks Lewis and Mike.
Posted by: johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy) | October 17, 2006 at 11:54 PM
What a perfect response to the situation. Brilliant, thoughtful, mature and authentic. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Account Deleted | October 18, 2006 at 11:16 AM
John,
I was roaming thru my sage this am just getting caught up. One glance at the title and the video was playing. (btw sage pulls the vid thru to firefox.) I'm a sucker for weddings. I started crying before your mom did!
Besides she was suddenly making me homesick for Dallas. I don't miss the heat in TX and I don't miss the cities and I don't miss the drought ... I miss the voices ... The Central Texas voices are so unique from Galveston to Dallas ... the tones and genuineness ... and the laughter ... and for 47yrs I had no idea ... until I left ... of course.
So after the video I read your entry before it. Give your mom a hug from me. I hope you are nearby. I've heard the true character of the ALS patients really comes to the surface more and more as time progresses. I think you have been blessed with a mom who has tended to her character and it will serve you both very well.
I've been saying a prayer for several friends who are tending to their parents. I'm including you now ... it goes like this:
Lord, Please grant my friends who are tending to their parents precious moments of laughter and very young hands to pat them on the arm and back -- patting in the unconditional love that young ones automatically give. Provide them with doctors and caregivers who do not give up before the season of life is really over. And provide them all with times of pure rest and relaxation.
best wishes,
pam
Posted by: MarillaAnne | October 20, 2006 at 07:51 AM
Pam ... you are so kind. Thanks for the comments and your prayers. Just so you know, my Mom was born and raised in the badlands of West Texas. That's a Big Spring, Texas drawl you here.
Posted by: johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy) | October 20, 2006 at 08:21 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for sharing the story.
Posted by: patmcgraw | October 29, 2006 at 09:07 AM
What a wonderful memory to have. It is already priceless I am sure. Thank you for sharing the video and the importance of family.
Posted by: chronicler | November 02, 2006 at 08:13 PM
LOL John, You know ... I just had to come back and play it again. I made it thru two slides. Worse. In the past few days I recv'd DVD's of two of my children's weddings from this past summer ... I can't even bring myself to play them!! ... I'm going to blog it at some point during this excruciating writing month of November ... (NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo) even my niece is saying "omg you write sooooo much!" I'm going to send everybody over to Google Vid so they can play social games with it.
West Texas hmmm you know what I'm realising ... I grew up in N. Central TX and hung out in E TX ... in racking my brains I can only think of one other person I knew who grew up in W TX ... I really loved her accent too. Surely there were others!!
I finally got to drive through those "badlands" a few yrs ago ... breathtaking in their vastness.
have fun
pam
Posted by: MarillaAnne | November 07, 2006 at 07:49 PM
You've got a beautiful speaking voice and a gorgeous accent, Mrs. Moore!
Posted by: Tim | November 17, 2006 at 08:11 AM