I spent a good portion of the day yesterday meeting with Denny Parsons, an Akron native who suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). The photos accompanying this article are from that meeting. 
In the coming weeks and months, this blog will be the home of a documentary project about his battle with ALS.
Yesterday, Denny, Sue, and I met to discuss how we were going to proceed, and to start getting some of his initial thoughts on what he has faced so far. I will be the photographer on this documentary project and Sue Hatos will be the author.
Denny is facing this battle the way I think most of us would hope to if we were in the same situation: with a smile on his face, and not giving up on the life he has. Even with this predicament, he continues to care more about helping those around him than worrying about himself. He stays strong and boisterous for those around him, even when he has every excuse imaginable to become self absorbed.
So I invite you to continue to follow this story as it develops. I will continue to take photos through till the end. Sue will be writing the accompanying book, and we expect articles on this blog from close friends and family of Denny’s.
Please feel free to comment on the articles here. This project isn’t just about Denny – 
it’s also about the human face of ALS and educating people about what this disease entails. The more people that spread this blog around, the more people will learn about ALS, and the more attention we can bring to it to encourage research for treatment.
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October 4, 2007 at 3:16 pm |
I’ve known Denny, not long enough. I have been blessed with his friendship for a few years now. We have shared so many laughs together, and actually even some tears. Okay and a few beers. He probley doesn’t know it, but he’s saved my life with his love, and friendship a few times. I have always carried him in my heart since I have met him, and I always will. We are deffinetly one in the same. I keep telling myself God has chosen him because he knows Denny is survivor no matter the obsticals life throws at him. Life beats within his soal no matter who, or what is trying to suck it out. Denny is a ray of sunshine for whoever is lucky enough to meet him. We all know that though, I don’t need to remind any of you. I love you Denny. *You are my HerO…*
October 12, 2007 at 8:48 pm |
I MET DENNY THROUGH HIS DAUGHTER JESSICA. THE VERY FIRST TIME I MET HIM HE HAD ME LAUGHING SO HARD! HE HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL, A SPECIAL GIFT THAT GOD GAVE HIM. A GIFT OF LOVE AND THE TRUE MEANING OF WHAT LOVE IS. TO KNOW DENNY IS TO LOVE HIM. HE TOOK ME IN LIKE I WAS ONE OF HIS OWN. DENNY I LOVE YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER VERY MUCH. WE SHARED A VERY SPECIAL MOMENT TOGETHER AND THAT WAS THE BIRTH OF ZACHARY ALAN PARSONS. A LITTLE BOY WHO WILL BE GIVEN THE GIFT OF HIS GRANDPA…. *LOVE* AND HE WILL CARRY ON THAT GIFT. YOU ARE A BLESSING TO MANY PEOPLE. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! I LOVE YOU!
November 1, 2007 at 1:19 pm |
hi bud
i’ve known you for some time now, and what has happened to you sucks but i know that you are gonna give it hell because lets face it you can be a little stubborn at times. denny you helped me out of a bad situation and you really didn’t even know me, and you made me a much better person than i had ever been and i want to thank you from all of my heart.not just the bottom. just know that jena and I will always love you .oh an when your having a good day give me a call so i can kick your ass i think i can finally do it and then ill feed you hahahahahahahahahahahah
lots and lotss of love kandi
January 2, 2008 at 11:21 pm |
HEY POPS…. IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU THE OTHER DAY. AND ONCE AGAIN YOU HAD ME LAUGHING MY BUTT OFF….. YOU AND THE FART MACHINE LOL!!! I LOVE YOU POPS!!!
July 19, 2008 at 9:38 am |
hey my friend its been too long i miss you so much and jena and i would love to come and visit or you come over. i have some good news our little girl is getting married on august 2nd . her fiance is leaving to go into the army on august 11th and they want to tie the knot before he goes. we will be having a big reception when he gets back on janurary 3rd.and denny it wouldnt be right if you werent there im going to leave my numberand you call me PLEASE. im glad to see that you have your leg braces and they’re helping you get around better. damnit dude i hope with all my heart that your staying strong and please if there is anything i can do for you please call and ask anything .hell ill even cook for you hahahaha. hey do you remember the timewe went to guys party center on singles night and we sat around making fun of people ,i was telling someone about that just the other day. also i have some good news i’m going to be starting akron u in either august or jan i hope in august im just waiting for everything to get done.also sometime in janurary i’ll be losing my little girl for a while she’ll be moving away with her new husband to start her new life . god im gonna miss her ya know. so we really need to get together k . denny you are one the most wonderful men i have ever met and im so blessed to know you . ijust wish we could see more of you so call me my number is 330-798-0579 call anytime k i love you brother you and the girls are always in my prayers. my email address is kandicewolf@yayoo.com