On September 17, 2015 my father died from ALS. Over 5,000 new cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's) are diagnosed every year. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 2-5 years. During that time, those affected may experience a variety of symptoms that could include a loss of speech, the ability to talk, the ability to walk, and the ability to move their hands and arms. The cause is unclear at this time, but military veterans are twice as likely as developing this progressively degenerative disease.