Inevitable progression leads to wasting and eventual paralysis of the arms and legs. Next comes a loss of functions such as speech, swallowing and breathing. Meanwhile, the brain functions normally, held prisoner in a failing body. No one knows what causes ALS, which is not contagious. There is no known cure.
Life expectancy is two to five years.
Altier, a former audio and visual sales official, discovered he had ALS on Oct. 13, 1992. The day before, he had found out he was to be a father for the first time. The students, as well as teachers, school Principal Barbara Anderson and a crowd of adults, were rapt as Altier rose from his wheelchair and slowly stepped to the microphone. Metal braces held his lower legs. Altier told his audience.