John Jaeckel is from Hayward, WI; a former athlete, HS Special Education Teacher, and coach. He was diagnosed with ALS on July 21st, 2010 and continues to battle this horrible disease that has no known cause, no cure, and tries to steal the hope from its victims. He made a choice to be an advocate, not a victim. He started using the help of a wonderful nutritionist, Karen Hurd, who showed us that
nutrition can do amazing things. He reads book after book about the power of the mind and thinking positively, and continues to practice this daily. He has a strong faith and knows his Father will always take care of him and use him to make this world better. He continues to be involved in his community, even if it means he changed HOW he helps others as his abilities change. He has gone on so many incredible trips and has taken on a whole new mentality, each day is a gift. John has a wife Deanna, who has been so supportive and continued to push the family forward with a positive mind, especially on those tough days. He has one daughter Sara, and a son in law (Who he may love more than Sara!) Ryan, and a grandpup named Sampson. With the most incredible army of support in friends, family, coworkers, from students and athletes—how can you not make the choice to live life to the fullest.
