Dying Mom Leaves Legacy of Wisdom
April 27, 2005— -- Deneane Chiplock is rushing to put her messages on video for her kids because time is running out for her.
Chiplock's advice includes "Take risks, don't be scared of rejection" to "Whether you wind up being wealthy, whether you wind up being poor, the most important thing is that you are happy."
Chiplock had feared her life would end early like so many of her relatives'. Both her mother and aunt died from ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.
"I am the 25th person in our family to die from this, in three generations," said Chiplock.
In November 2003, Chiplock discovered she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to death.
From the get-go, Chiplock fought the disease and made sure to impart her fighting spirit to those around her, including her sons Evan, 10, and Sean, 14, as well as her husband, Jerry.
"She is unstoppable, that's what's so difficult about this disease and the way it's affecting her -- because up until now, she's … always been fiercely independent," said Jerry Chiplock.
He said that her independent streak led her to make the practical advice DVDs and take on bigger battles.
"She decided right from the start that this is going to be her avenue for change," said Jerry Chiplock.
From the moment she was diagnosed, she opted to try experimental drugs that try to slow down the disease.
"I felt this huge responsibility to be a human guinea pig. I felt it wasn't even a second thought -- it was an obligation," she said.
Her other battle was making people realize that health care's oppressive costs can be a drain on those around you. Her family spends at least $20,000 a month for round-the-clock care, therapists, aides and medicines.
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