The magazine ‘Politico’ recently reported the wonderful story of Brian Wallach, a lawyer who works in the White House with Barack Obama and that at the age of 37, the day her newborn daughter left the hospital to go home, she was diagnosed with ALS. It was 2017 and they initially gave him six months to live, although the deadlines were extended after new tests. He immediately thought that the best way to spend the time he had left would be to help those who were in his situation and those who would come to him. He used his ability to navigate the bureaucratic tunnels of Washington DC to try to change the way the federal government decides on public medical investments.
He drew up a hectic schedule, hired one of those much-needed lobbyists in the U.S. capital, and pleaded his case before congressional subcommittees. In an important meeting with lawmakers, he had five minutes to defend why his illness deserved a public injection over others. He delivered a convincing speech and on December 23, 2021, Joe Biden signed a law requiring an annual investment of $ 100 million, and for five years, in research and accelerated assistance for ALS patients.
Wallach and his wife, who Biden quoted at the signing ceremony, they have achieved their goal of creating an impact that goes beyond themselves. The best: Wallach could see it. From home in his wheelchair, but he resisted long enough to reap the fruits of his efforts. He can still hold a beer with one hand, so he can even roast it privately.
Help that does not show up
Juan Carlos Unzue It has recently become the voice and image of the devastating disease in Spain. He does so with a praiseworthy spirit of vitality, with a permanent smile, without feeling sorry for himself. True to Wallach’s statement that “every day is a sprint”, he has a ministerial agenda, always full, and similar goals as the American lawyer: more help for research and for the sick and their families.
As explained in the moving and at the same time funny documentary ‘Vivir valELA pena’, which can be seen on Movistar + today, the Spanish Congress has approved an aid plan for those affected by ALS, but no one has received anything of what was promised. Own Unzué he underlined this at the presentation of the documentary on Tuesday in Barcelona. “It turns out they acted against the gallery.”
Even in the complaint Unzué he put on a spring expression. “When I’m not here, what I want you to do is remember me with this smile,” he said. The documentary can be seen as a song for the family, his family in particular, and for friendship, those forged in his football career and in life.
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Unzué makes cutlery, and now that he can still explain himself, he says that it was worth it, that he had a good time, that there is no greater regret than what is not attempted, and that he actually still enjoys his time in this world a lot.despite the fact that ALS has already put him in the shackles of the wheelchair.
“All of us who are here are going to die one day, and you need to know how to enjoy each day,” he said in his speech. Luis Enrique, a good friend of the Barça exporter, who knows very well what it means to face death and therefore how to face life. Wallach Washington DC changes and Unzué, with his light, changes all those people who want to listen to him. For the better, without a doubt. There is still time.
Reference-www.elperiodico.com