Brantford man shares journey with ALS through YouTube videos
A major health scare is not something many of us would want to make public, but one 48-year-old Brantford man is sharing his journey online through YouTube videos.
Dave Dodds describes his videos as both both therapeutic and humourous.
Dodds said noticed something wrong back in September.
"It's impacted my upper arm movements so reaching for things is difficult but the rest of my muscles in my arms still work normally," Dodds told CTV News.
At first, his doctors thought he had torn rotator cuffs but then in March, Dodds’ life changed forever. He was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
"There was a series of tests because there is no test that says you've got ALS,” he said. “So they knocked all that off and from there, you're left standing with ALS."
His doctors said he may have a regional variant of ALS known as brachial amyotrophic diplegia – right now it is effecting his arms and shoulders but that could change.
"It'll sit there for it could be ten years, if it decides not to, it can attack me more quickly," he said.
As a way to spread awareness about his illness, Dodds decided to take to social media, posting monthly health updates on YouTube.
"From my perspective I wanted to be able to provide some awareness and let people know my story and how it's going," he said.
His family was shocked by his diagnosis but says his attitude has been nothing but positive.
"We kind of just looked past it and looked where it's gonna go and what we can do about it, obviously nothing but you know we spend every day together that's all I can ask for," said Dodds’ teenage son Will.
Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge made national headlines, raising millions for research. The ALS Society of Canada said about 3,000 people are living with ALS in the country and while the trend resulted in new developments in treatment, they are still underfunded.
"Even the fundraising that came in, which was unprecedented for us, was a fraction of a fraction of what most treatable diseases have to fund research for example in a given year,” said David Taylor, vice-president of research at ALS Society Of Canada. “You know, this was a kind of moment in time and we'll see if it can resonate again."
June is ALS awareness month and Dodds and his family will be taking part in the ALS walk in Hamilton on June 10 to raise money for the illness.
"It's unbelievable how the financial aspects have been from people coming and supporting us,” Dodds said. “The community support – that to me is the most important thing."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.