ALS changed Tony and Karen Vick’s daily rhythm but it didn’t change who they are together. Tony served in the United States military for 16 years in the Air Force Reserves and Army, and continued his dedication to service with 10 years in the civil service. Meanwhile Karen ran her own business, which she loved for the creativity and independence it gave her. They’ve learned to adapt, laugh through the chaos, and find gratitude in moments most people overlook.

“Faith like Tony” is a saying many use when referring to Tony's faith because despite his diagnosis, his faith in life and in Jesus has remained steady but so has Karen's. Together, they continue to believe in purpose and living fully, no matter the challenges ALS brings—"Faith like the Vicks."

“Life before ALS was about chasing goals; life after ALS has been about cherishing moments, because only God knows how much time we actually have left here on this earth together," Karen says.

At home, they share life with their dog, Nellie, who keeps them smiling, and a koi fish pond that brings calm to their days. Every Christmas, they put up a huge village, a joyful tradition that captures their love of creating memories together.

When Tony reflects on his years in the military, it isn’t all about training, deployments, or uniforms, but rather about the values that still drive his life today: discipline, purpose, and resilience.

“Those are the same values that carry me through the hardest days living with ALS,” he says. “In the military, you learn to rely on others, and in this fight, that lesson has come full circle. I depend on others in different ways now, but that same spirit of trust and teamwork keeps me going.”

For Tony, Veterans Day is a day of reflection and gratitude, a time to honor not only those who served, but also the families who surrounded them. Now, as a veteran living with Lou Gehrig’s disease, this day holds an even deeper connection.

“ALS can feel like a silent battle,” Tony says. “You go from serving your country with strength and independence to facing a disease that takes away your physical abilities. But it doesn’t take away your will to live, your sense of humor, or your pride in who you are.”

Every day has become a mission of its own. Whether he’s on his electrical bike or mowing the yard, Tony finds purpose in movement.

“Biking helps me stay connected to normalcy. It’s freedom. Even small routines remind me I’m still capable and still living,” he shares. “It’s my way of showing ALS hasn’t won. I’m still here, still doing what I can, still showing up for life.”

Beside him through every part of this journey is his wife, Karen. Just as Tony’s service taught him the power of teamwork, caregiving has shown Karen what it means to live that truth every single day.

“The hardest part is watching someone you love lose pieces of their independence,” she says. “You become their hands, their legs, their strength but you’re still human, too. Balancing caregiving, emotions, and your own identity is incredibly hard. Some days you feel invisible, but the love that keeps you in it is what pulls you through.”

Karen’s outlet for self-care is working out to move her body, whether that be at her at-home gym or at her local gym, where she has a community of women by her side.

Community has been the anchor for both Tony and Karen. From local ALS chapters to the Live Like Lou Foundation and veteran support organizations, they’ve found help and hope.

“No one can do this alone,” Karen says. “Connecting with other caregivers who truly get it, that’s been the biggest gift. Hearing ‘me too’ on a hard day can change everything.”

She hopes others understand the unseen strength of caregivers, especially within the veteran and ALS communities.

“Caregivers are the quiet backbone of both worlds,” she explained. “In the military, you stand behind the one who serves. In ALS, you stand beside the one who’s fighting. Both take strength, patience, and love that often go unseen. We don’t want sympathy, we want support and recognition that what we do matters.”

This Veterans Day and National Family Caregivers Month, Tony and Karen’s story reminds us that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Whether in battlefields overseas or in living rooms at home, courage takes many forms. For Tony and Karen, it’s about holding on to each other, to their faith, and to the mission of living fully every single day.

Thank you, Tony, for your service, and Karen, for the strength and courage you show as a caregiver. By sharing your story, you remind others caring for loved ones that it’s just as essential to care for themselves, too.

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