I am Andria Brannon
living with ALS
Texas
You know where this goes, right? Symptoms I couldn’t explain or ignore. Multiple visits to doctors, and experts, and finally, the words from neurologist, “I really think this is ALS.”
I had it all, y’all! After being a late bloomer in the relationship department, I’d found my soulmate, John, and gotten married at age 44. I had never planned on kids, but John came to the table with two – and I suddenly found myself not only in the new role of partner but a bonus mom as well. Years of hard work had placed me in a prime spot in my career, working as an Associate Vice Chancellor at The University of Texas System in advancement services and philanthropic giving. I loved our cozy home in eclectic Austin, TX and had a wonderful tribe of family and friends. Happy at 49, I volunteered, we traveled, loved on our kids and dogs, and enjoyed life. We were busy people!
You know where this goes, right? Symptoms I couldn’t explain or ignore. Multiple visits to doctors, and experts, and finally, the words from neurologist, “I really think this is ALS.” In that moment, everything changed. Everything. Except – I still had it all, didn’t I? – A loving partner, two great step-kids, a fantastic life, a fulfilling job… but now add in a diagnosis that would come like a thief to steal things from me over time.
We’re now over 16 months into my ALS journey and, by all accounts, I’m classed as a “slow progressor.” I’ve never wanted so desperately to be slow at something. All the fast things in my life have taken a back seat. We’re hoping for – time. Time for science to catch up to the disease and then for science to overtake it. Time for treatments and therapies to be developed. Time for a cure.
