As today is Veterans Day, we want to honor veterans living with ALS. Veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as those who have not served. Here is a personal essay written by none other than Juan Reyes, a United States Air Force veteran living with ALS. Thank you, Juan, for your service.
My military service has profoundly shaped my life and the way I approach everyday situations. It instilled in me a strong sense of discipline and, perhaps most importantly, taught me the true value of teamwork and support. With a committed group beside you, almost any obstacle can be overcome.
Veterans with ALS face unique challenges, particularly within the veteran health care system. One significant hurdle is the lack of access to clinical trials, as the VA currently neither conducts nor refers veterans to these opportunities. Fortunately, advocacy groups are actively working to address and improve this issue for veterans.
Sharing my story has revealed a new side of myself; I never expected to become a storyteller. By embracing honesty and vulnerability, I have found that I can genuinely connect with readers. This connection allows me to inform not only those affected by ALS but also others who have little knowledge of the disease.
One important message I’d like to share is that, although veterans experience ALS at a higher rate, our hopes and desires remain the same as anyone else living with the disease. We all wish for a cure and the chance to live comfortably, create lasting memories with our loved ones, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Meg and I consider ourselves truly blessed to have shared a wonderful life together. Like all couples, we have faced our share of challenges throughout the years, but we have always worked through them side by side. Our story began in our freshman year of high school, although we did not start dating until our senior year. Since then, we have built a lasting partnership, being together for over forty years and married for more than thirty-six of those years.
Our military careers have taken us to many places around the world, including Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany, and our nation’s capital. Living overseas provided us with incredible opportunities to travel throughout most of Europe, as well as to many other beautiful and historic destinations. These experiences have enriched our lives and strengthened our bond as a couple.
After my retirement from active duty, the focus shifted to Meg’s career. I am especially proud of her achievements during this time. She played a crucial role in successfully integrating the Joint Base concept in the San Antonio area, which was a significant accomplishment. By the end of her career, Meg had become the leading expert for legislative military needs in Texas, and she was highly respected for her contributions to Joint Base operations in San Antonio.
One of the happiest chapters in our lives was expanding our family through adoption. Initially, we had one biological son, but after Meg’s battle with breast cancer, she was unable to have more children. Adoption had always been part of our plan, and we were overjoyed to welcome three children into our family, growing from three to six overnight. Today, we live near San Antonio and spend our time traveling the country in an accessible RV, creating new memories together as a family.
Juan is the author of "The ALS Express: Expressive Reflections on Living With ALS." This collection of essays and reflections shares the raw reality of living with ALS, balancing honesty, humor, and heart. Through his story, Juan aims to educate, advocate, and connect with readers, revealing not just the challenges of ALS but also the joy, love, and community that sustain him.
