Professional caretaker James Ndegwa bathes Persian Gulf War veteran Mike White, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which renders him nearly paralyzed. 

Professional caretaker James Ndegwa bathes Persian Gulf War veteran Mike White, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which renders him nearly paralyzed. 

 James pulls a shirt over Mike’s head while getting him ready for the day. Mike usually dresses in athletic clothing and matches colors and brands.

James pulls a shirt over Mike’s head while getting him ready for the day. Mike usually dresses in athletic clothing and matches colors and brands.

 James brushes Mike's teeth while catching spills with a rag. He only helps Mike in the mornings; the rest of the care falls to Mike's girlfriend and family.

James brushes Mike's teeth while catching spills with a rag. He only helps Mike in the mornings; the rest of the care falls to Mike's girlfriend and family.

 Mike's sister, Crystal Houston, holds the 30 pills Mike needs to take every day, including painkillers, vitamins and antibiotics. 

Mike's sister, Crystal Houston, holds the 30 pills Mike needs to take every day, including painkillers, vitamins and antibiotics. 

 Mike's family practices the Heimlich Maneuver as Mike watches with his aunt, Merrill Smith. Most ALS patients die from suffocation or choking 2-5 years after diagnosis.

Mike's family practices the Heimlich Maneuver as Mike watches with his aunt, Merrill Smith. Most ALS patients die from suffocation or choking 2-5 years after diagnosis.

 Rene Glenn (left), Mike’s girlfriend, wipes her eyes as neurologist Dr. Kumaraswamy Sivakumar talks to Mike about his prognosis.

Rene Glenn (left), Mike’s girlfriend, wipes her eyes as neurologist Dr. Kumaraswamy Sivakumar talks to Mike about his prognosis.

 Pete LeNoir, an Air Force buddy, holds a drink up to Mike's lips during a house party with more than 40 people, many from Mike's hometown of Detroit.

Pete LeNoir, an Air Force buddy, holds a drink up to Mike's lips during a house party with more than 40 people, many from Mike's hometown of Detroit.

 Mike drives alongside his former housemate Decarus Bennett, Rene and other supporters during the annual Walk to Defeat ALS in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mike drives alongside his former housemate Decarus Bennett, Rene and other supporters during the annual Walk to Defeat ALS in Scottsdale, Arizona.

 Studies have linked ALS to military service, so the U.S. Government provides equipment to veterans, such as Mike's motorized wheelchair and custom van.

Studies have linked ALS to military service, so the U.S. Government provides equipment to veterans, such as Mike's motorized wheelchair and custom van.

 Mike watches his daughter Miah (left) laugh with her friend during a father-daughter dance in her school's gymnasium.

Mike watches his daughter Miah (left) laugh with her friend during a father-daughter dance in her school's gymnasium.

 Rene lies with Mike after she got him ready and into bed. “I’m blessed every day I get to wake up and have another day,” Mike said.

Rene lies with Mike after she got him ready and into bed. “I’m blessed every day I get to wake up and have another day,” Mike said.

 Professional caretaker James Ndegwa bathes Persian Gulf War veteran Mike White, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which renders him nearly paralyzed. 
 James pulls a shirt over Mike’s head while getting him ready for the day. Mike usually dresses in athletic clothing and matches colors and brands.
 James brushes Mike's teeth while catching spills with a rag. He only helps Mike in the mornings; the rest of the care falls to Mike's girlfriend and family.
 Mike's sister, Crystal Houston, holds the 30 pills Mike needs to take every day, including painkillers, vitamins and antibiotics. 
 Mike's family practices the Heimlich Maneuver as Mike watches with his aunt, Merrill Smith. Most ALS patients die from suffocation or choking 2-5 years after diagnosis.
 Rene Glenn (left), Mike’s girlfriend, wipes her eyes as neurologist Dr. Kumaraswamy Sivakumar talks to Mike about his prognosis.
 Pete LeNoir, an Air Force buddy, holds a drink up to Mike's lips during a house party with more than 40 people, many from Mike's hometown of Detroit.
 Mike drives alongside his former housemate Decarus Bennett, Rene and other supporters during the annual Walk to Defeat ALS in Scottsdale, Arizona.
 Studies have linked ALS to military service, so the U.S. Government provides equipment to veterans, such as Mike's motorized wheelchair and custom van.
 Mike watches his daughter Miah (left) laugh with her friend during a father-daughter dance in her school's gymnasium.
 Rene lies with Mike after she got him ready and into bed. “I’m blessed every day I get to wake up and have another day,” Mike said.

Professional caretaker James Ndegwa bathes Persian Gulf War veteran Mike White, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which renders him nearly paralyzed. 

James pulls a shirt over Mike’s head while getting him ready for the day. Mike usually dresses in athletic clothing and matches colors and brands.

James brushes Mike's teeth while catching spills with a rag. He only helps Mike in the mornings; the rest of the care falls to Mike's girlfriend and family.

Mike's sister, Crystal Houston, holds the 30 pills Mike needs to take every day, including painkillers, vitamins and antibiotics. 

Mike's family practices the Heimlich Maneuver as Mike watches with his aunt, Merrill Smith. Most ALS patients die from suffocation or choking 2-5 years after diagnosis.

Rene Glenn (left), Mike’s girlfriend, wipes her eyes as neurologist Dr. Kumaraswamy Sivakumar talks to Mike about his prognosis.

Pete LeNoir, an Air Force buddy, holds a drink up to Mike's lips during a house party with more than 40 people, many from Mike's hometown of Detroit.

Mike drives alongside his former housemate Decarus Bennett, Rene and other supporters during the annual Walk to Defeat ALS in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Studies have linked ALS to military service, so the U.S. Government provides equipment to veterans, such as Mike's motorized wheelchair and custom van.

Mike watches his daughter Miah (left) laugh with her friend during a father-daughter dance in her school's gymnasium.

Rene lies with Mike after she got him ready and into bed. “I’m blessed every day I get to wake up and have another day,” Mike said.

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