Ted Swanson, Walterboro, South Carolina
While he was in the Air Force, Theodore “Ted” Swanson proudly served his country while working for a greater good. Although he left the service in 1997 to become a systems management engineer, he continues to aim toward something larger than himself in educating the public about ALS.
Ted and Lena Swanson with their dog Boo
Doctors diagnosed Swanson with the fatal neurodegenerative disease in November 2007.
This May, The ALS Association’s South Carolina Chapter is honoring Swanson and his wife and caregiver Lena during ALS Awareness Month for the annual “ALS Across America” campaign.
Swanson, 52, has told his community and others in the country about his—and others’—struggles with ALS. Charleston Home and Design magazine featured him, Lena, and their refurbished home in 2011. “The article described the bathroom remodel we did to accommodate my needs,” said Swanson, who uses a motorized wheelchair and a ventilator.
The Wall Street Journal also interviewed him about the use of off-label drugs to treat people with ALS. Additionally, the couple has been working with the VA Hospital in Charleston to devise protocols for dealing with veterans battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“In spite of the effects the disease has on his body, Ted continues to work on behalf of himself and others living with ALS,” said chapter Patient and Family Services Coordinator Dorian Jeffcoat, MSW. “Both he and Lena want the public to know about this disease, so they willingly work with the chapter, the media and others in the ALS community.”
The Swansons will continue to raise ALS awareness in May and throughout the rest of the year.
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