Even More About ALS Boy

Jason Picetti knew from an early age that he would eventually spend his days writing. Perhaps it was the great joy he took composing reports on New York and Canada in the fourth and fifth grades. Or maybe it was winning the hundred dollar first prize for penning the essay Why I Won’t Be Purchasing a Class Ring as a high school senior. Although his dream of writing got delayed while he pursued the even bigger dream of becoming a rock star, it nevertheless returned to the forefront of his consciousness once he realized that playing keyboards and singing in a cover band was as close to music superstardom as he was ever going to get. Even when he chose to become a middle school math teacher at the age of thirty, it was the two-and-a-half months off during the summer so he could get “paid” to write that clinched his decision to pursue a career as an educator. It wasn’t until his diagnosis of ALS — more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — in February 2008 and retirement from the classroom later that June did he finally get the opportunity to put the proverbial pen to the paper on a regular basis. These days Jason counts on the love and support of his wife Fehmeen, their two year old daughter Emma, his dad John, his caregiver Lhito, and an entire battalion of friends, family, doctors, therapists, alternative medicine practitioners, and even the kindness of strangers to not only navigate the challenges of everyday living but to celebrate the inherent rewards of living a joyful and happy life despite having a terminal illness.

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