Steve Gleason responds with dignity and forgiveness in wake of shameful radio bit mocking him and those suffering with ALS

Gleason, once again, shows us how to be our best selves

Credit: (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Giving Back Fund)

 

NFL player Scott Fujita and former NFL player Steve Gleason attend The Giving Back Fund's 4th Annual Big Game Big Give Super Bowl Celebration on February 2, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

 

 

 

wwltv.com

Posted on June 20, 2013 at 9:55 AM

OPINION
Bradley Handwerger / WWLTV.com Sports Reporter
Email: bhandwerger@wwltv.com | Twitter: @wwltvsports
Steve Gleason could have fired back a vitriol-filled response this week after three Atlanta shock jocks mocked his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, including his speech through a computer.
Instead, once again, Gleason showed us how adults are supposed to act.
He showed us how to be our best selves.
In a simple post on his Team Gleason Facebook page, the former Saints player thanked the public for their support.
And then he did what many others couldn’t – no – wouldn’t do. He accepted their apology.
In one fell swoop, he changed the local and national dialogue from negative to positive.
Many people wouldn’t have responded as such. They would have harbored hate for the trio. They would have, in their inner thoughts, wished ill of the radio hosts. They would have done the exact opposite of what Gleason did.
But accepting the apology wasn’t the only thing he did.
Instead of just moving on, he also took advantage of the opportunity, one that rarely presents itself, to open discussion about ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a neurological disease that cause muscle weakness and disability, eventually robbing those affected of their ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe.
“I think everyone can learn from this event,” Gleason said. “It’s clear to me that, on a national and global scale, ALS is not understood, which is part of why it’s under-funded and largely ignored. Let’s talk about this … There are zero treatments for ALS.
“If you take any action as a result of this event, I prefer it to be action to end ALS. See what we are doing to change that @ teamgleason.org.”
Since Gleason publicly announced his fight against the debilitating disease, he has shown how to not give in. He has shown how live with such an affliction and get the most out of life you can.
Team Gleason is partnering with tech companies to create and advance assistive technology for those suffering with ALS. It is developing and opening a home for ALS patients in New Orleans. It is taking patients with ALS on adventures, fulfilling dreams not thought to be possible.
So, if you’re looking for someone to point out to your children how to act, look no further.
Gleason is one of the standup guys you want your children to emulate. One of those people you want them to look up to him.
Because he’s a better man than most.