Life's Greatest Lesson“A teacher influences eternity; he will never be able to tell where his influence stops. As Henry Adams said, and it is the synthesis of the impervious bond between the characters Mitch and Morrie, in Tuesdays with Morrie. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a form of motor neuron disease. It is a rare disease in which the nerves that control muscle activity degenerate within the brain and spinal cord. The result is weakness and wasting of the muscles. The cause is unknown. Approximately one to two cases of ALS are diagnosed per 100,000 people in the United States each year. (Lou) Sufferers will notice weakness in the hands and arms accompanied by muscle atrophy (Motor). The weakness usually progresses to involve the muscles of breathing and swallowing, leading to death in two to four years. When someone is diagnosed with such a disorder, their life takes unknown directions and you can either handle it positively and be strong and love through it, or let it waste your life. In Mitch Albom's Tuesday's with Morrie, main character Morrie Schwartz is diagnosed with ALS and doesn't let it slow him down in his life; it made him personally stronger and gave the people around him a more positive attitude. ALS attacks motor neurons, which are among the largest nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. These cells send messages to muscles throughout the body. In ALS, motor neurons die and muscles do not receive these messages. As a result, the muscles become weak as they lose the ability to move. Eventually, most muscle action is affected, including those that control swallowing and breathing, as well as the major muscles of the arms, legs, back, and neck. However, there is no loss of sensory nerves, so people with ALS retain their sense of touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. This disease does not affect the mind, and people with ALS remain fully alert and aware of events. The story captures the compassion and wisdom of a man who knew good only in his heart. A man who lived his life until his last breath. The story of a special bond of friendship lost for many years, but never forgotten. When Morrie learned that he only had a few months to live after his ALS diagnosis, Morrie began the last course... halfway through the document... that will impact your life. When life throws you a curve ball and tries to knock you off course, only you can make the best of it or let it ruin what you have. Just because you have a diagnosis, doesn't mean you can't still live your life to the fullest, and that's what Morrie taught Mitch, his disability didn't make him weaker, it made him stronger and made him love what he had. even more. As Morrie said: “So many people walk around with meaningless lives. They seem half asleep, even when they are busy doing things they consider important. This is because they are chasing the wrong things. The way you give meaning to your life is to dedicate yourself to loving others, dedicate yourself to the community around you, and dedicate yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. "Works CitedAlbom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie. New York, Doubleday, September 1997. "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Lou Gehrig's Disease." March 1, 2005. “Focus on ALS.” March 5, 2005. “Lou's Disease.” Gehrig (ALS)." March 01, 2005. "Motor neuron disease." American Medical Association Home Medical Encyclopedia. 1989 ed. “Tuesdays with Morrie.” March 05 2005.