The story segment introduces the environment that shaped the protagonist's personality and ethical framework, focusing particularly on Steve Gleason. The book explores the crucial role his family played in developing his athletic skills and commitment to diligence.
Michael Gleason's promising athletic pursuits in football and baseball at the University of Washington were abruptly ended by an injury. Despite his athletic prowess, Michael adhered to a parenting approach that was traditional and strict, a method that Gleason describes as a foundational belief system. He believed that instilling fear and enforcing discipline were essential to nurturing love and obedience in his children, with particular emphasis on his sons Steve and Kyle. He frequently used physical discipline to correct behavior, following the biblical proverb that implies sparing such punishment is tantamount to harboring disdain for one's offspring.
Steve Gleason's early life was molded by a discipline that his father instilled in him in a nuanced way. , it also planted a deep-seated sense of inadequacy, which shaped his steadfast belief that he was constantly obliged to prove himself worthy of love. Michael frequently displayed his openness and susceptibility, readily acknowledging his flaws and expressing sincere regret, which occasionally led to tears.
Since his youth, Gleason possessed a natural inclination towards discovering and investigating the unknown. Steve Gleason, along with his sibling Kyle, spent countless hours engaged in play within the confines of a sandbox in their backyard, an area surrounded by the lush greenery of a nearby park and extending across the expansive expanse of Five Mile Prairie, offering a tranquil retreat from the ambiance of their home life.
Despite being diagnosed with a condition that made the bottoms of his feet turn inward, Gleason achieved considerable success in sports. He attributes his recovery to his mother, who, as a dedicated educator, meticulously treated the ailment with a regimen of stretching and the careful application of casts. The initial encounter fostered a firm conviction within him regarding his capacity to surmount challenges. Steve Gleason embarked on his journey in soccer at eight years old, distinguished by his innate speed and nimbleness. During his last year at Gonzaga Preparatory School, he distinguished himself as a center fielder in youth baseball and...
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This section of the narrative delves into Steve Gleason's grappling with the inevitability of his mortality and the significant obstacles he encountered following his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
In 2010, Gleason concluded his tenure in professional football and united in marriage with Michel Varisco, originating from New Orleans, turning his focus to familial responsibilities and interests outside of his athletic career. His existence took a tragic turn when he began experiencing uncontrollable muscle spasms. Steve Gleason underwent numerous medical assessments that led to a pivotal revelation: he had a condition characterized by the inexorable degeneration of neurons in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in a progressive decline in muscular strength. Steve Gleason was given a dire prognosis that suggested his condition typically results in mortality within two to five years following diagnosis.
In this segment of the narrative, Gleason perceives his ALS diagnosis as a chance to inspire and support others. Steve Gleason attributes the establishment of his philanthropic organization to his experiences on the football field and his acceptance of adversity, considering this endeavor vital for preserving his life.
Gleason was resolute in forging an identity that transcended the label of a person diagnosed with ALS. Guided by the principles ingrained during his Jesuit education, he adopted the belief that true self-help comes from aiding others, which culminated in the creation of the Team Gleason foundation, committed to assisting and advocating for those suffering from ALS. Team Gleason has become a beacon of support, providing essential aid and resources, funding advancements in technology, and orchestrating opportunities that significantly improve the lives of those afflicted by ALS. Steve Gleason found that his work with the...
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This section details the emotional anguish and physical decline that accompanies ALS. The book delves thoroughly into the author's persistent and unyielding difficulties.
Gleason openly shares the intense mental and physical toll of ALS, describing how distressingly his body's functionality diminishes over time. He documents the gradual deterioration of his once-strong physique, starting with the diminishing power in his right hand and leg, which eventually led to a total loss of movement, leaving him unable to stand, walk, talk, or breathe on his own. The disease progressively diminished his sense of self, taking from him the vitality and freedom he cherished.
The weight of this loss was not carried by...
This segment of the story showcases the unwavering commitment of the author to the group associated with Gleason. Steve Gleason articulates his gratitude for the remarkable support Team Gleason has received and communicates the group's goal to transform traditional methods of tackling ALS.
Gleason explores the evolution and maturation of Team Gleason. This compassionate foundation provides crucial assistance, such as resources for assistive technology, guidance on healthcare, and opportunities for personal growth via Team Gleason Adventures, which arranges excursions to Machu Picchu in Peru, Denali National Park in Alaska, and orchestrates group events along the waterways of Montana for those affected by ALS. Steve Gleason expresses his profound gratitude to the supporters of Team Gleason and commends the commitment of experts in fields like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and assistive technology for...
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