As someone quite amazed to find herself in her 20th year of ALS and still busily, happily, and contentedly engaged in living, I have reached the point where I find myself saying "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!" For that reason, the main focus of this site is on dealing with some of the medical complications we face as a result of ALS. All too often these things are inadequately addressed because the expectation is that we will not be around long enough to worry about "long term" problems. These are problems that can and must be minimized in order to assure a good quality of life even if that life is short. In addition, I believe several factors are going to extend the life of ALS patients in years to come:

	The development of medications to slow progression.
	Continued improvements in supportive care (nutrition, respiratory support etc.)
	Computer aided communication and environmental control equipment will greatly improve the quality of life for ALS patients who opt for ventilation. As a result more of us will take that option and live for many more years.

	Safe Harbor Rediscovering life on a ventilator.
	Dress for success: Toileting using a lift.
	ALS Inservice for Nursing Staff: Read it or download it and pass it on.
	Swelling of feet and legs: Why it happens and how to minimize it.
	Constipation: Prevention and treatment tips.
	Osteoporosis and Calcium in ALS: Why osteoporosis is "different" in patients with neuromuscular disease.
	BiPAP: A non-life support breathing assistance device.
	Muscle Spasms -- Cramping and Spasticity Which is it and how can it be treated?
	Travel Tips: Some things I have learned while traveling.
	The Attic: No practical tips here, just my response to a friend's question about what it is like to live with ALS.