Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44mattersmagazine.com 37 The gathering at Arthur Cohen and Janet Coviello’s home is simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful. This is where three families meet to share and discuss the intersection of their lives that have been forever detoured by an ALS diagnosis. In attendance is Arthur, diagnosed in the fall of 2014; Bob Hebron, whose daughter Beth has been struggling with the disease since 2013; and Danni Michaeli, who lost his husband, David Adox, in May 2016. All have devoted their energies in different ways to assist others struggling with this devastating disease. ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is an illness that progressively attacks the nervous system. Over time, patients lose their ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe while their minds remain untouched. It tends to develop in people between the ages of 40 and 70, with an average age of 55 at the time of diagnosis. Life expectancy after onset is two to four years. Because it is considered an “orphan disease,” defined as one that affects fewer than 200,000 people, ALS doesn’t receive the critical funding needed to find a cure. Cohen sits in his motorized wheelchair, iPhone in lap, smiling. No longer able to walk or talk, he can still text on his phone and have it speak for him. These bursts of mechanized language come out whenever Arthur wants to illuminate the conversation with his observations or opinions. Employed as a photographer, Cohen maintained a studio in New York City. Janet recalls talking to him on the phone after lunch one day and noticed that his speech was slurred. She jokingly asked him if he had had a few drinks. That was their first clue that something was wrong. And so ensued countless visits to various specialists, ending a year later with a neurologist’s diagnosis of ALS. Understandably, Cohen was devastated at first. But with time, he became determined to do everything he could to make a difference for other ALS sufferers. And that’s when he turned his pickle-making hobby into raising awareness and funds for ALS research and patient care. Three Families, ONE GOAL Working towards a cure for ALS BY ELLEN DONKER at terminal mill ends The Decorating Store BLINDS • REUPHOLSTERY • DRAPERY • SLIPCOVERS • FABRIC NEW FURNITURE • CUSHIONS • FLOORING • DECORATIVE HARDWARE • BEDDING • FABRIC • BLINDS • REUPHOLSTERY BLINDS • REUPHOLSTERY • DRAPERY • SLIPCOVERS • FABRIC NEW FURNITURE • CUSHIONS • FLOORING • DECORATIVE HARDWARE • BEDDING FABRIC • BLINDS • REUPHOLSTERY SALE 10% Off Any Order Over $500 Including Installation All Fabrics, Blinds, Shades & Plantation Shutters, Labor & Installation, New Custom Catalogue Furniture Sale Ends April 29, 2017 New LocatioN comiNg iN may! Complimentary Design Services Monday - Saturday 9:30 - 6:00 908-688-9416 thedecoratingstore-tme.com 980 Stuyvesant Avenue Union, NJ