I am Deb Winters
a friend of someone living with ALS,
a friend of someone we've lost to ALS,
living with ALS
West Virginia
But I have turned my focus on what I can do: Shining the light in dark places, bringing joy and hope to those living with ALS.
I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) on March 10th, 2022. On that day, those three letters – ALS – rocked my world. In a breath, everything changed that day.
Before ALS –
I was the lead pastor at Transformation Community Church. My life was physically active: walking the streets and meeting people; discipleship ministry within the substance abuse recovery community; working member of the Quick Response Team (QRT); launching a startup with my husband, Howard, in the middle of the pandemic with a “Worthy Ambition” to help people turn Obstacles into Opportunities. We were living a life ‘On Mission’ in the Best End (west end) of Huntington, WV.
After ALS –
I cannot do what I used to do – some of my limbs do not work well, and I have much less energy. But I have turned my focus on what I can do: Shining the light in dark places, bringing joy and hope to those living with ALS. Whether as Chairman of the WV ALS Leadership council; serving as member of other ALS support teams; comforting and counseling other PALS (persons w/ ALS), I continue on mission as I have for the last 20 years – yes, diminished in my physical ability, but not my spirit, even though I know that someday I will die from this dreadful disease.
But not today.
There is NO CURE for ALS, it is 100% fatal – usually within two to five years of onset: my clock is ticking, and while I have time and energy I choose to make a difference!
And Maybe Not Tomorrow
ALS is not incurable, it is UNDERFUNDED and we need YOU to join us in the fight. I am ALS.
My life has been a series of challenges and learning experiences, however, for the last 25 years I have followed where Christ has led me – and He has led me and equipped me to strike out against this evil disease. Standing on His promises, learning to trust Him, I continue to have faith in a God who stills does miracles!
