Darin, many years ago my husband broke his hand and could not dress himself for several weeks. He said it was humiliating. I am not in any way making light of your illness or comparing it to my husband’s experience. I just want you to know that your feelings are valid. Your family understands that, and they love you enough to take care of whatever you need.
I will try to find Joy. Watching my beloved husband struggle with stage 4 cancer is not a joyful experience. But, for you, Mr. N, I will try, Thank you.
You are feeling like you are loosing dignity, yet you are actually forced to depend on others who will be forever grateful that you trusted them with your care. I love your heart in this. You are educating us and letting us see how a person who chooses joy responds to such a very tough disease. Praying
I bought a lift chair because of your salesmanship when you told us about yours, I really like it. I know what you mean about losing your dignity with ALS. Having someone have to help with the shower is hard for me. I was diagnosed August 27, 2024. However, I believe I’ve had ALS for at least a year and a half before that. No one seems to be able to diagnose it! I live in Tennessee. There are many good things like an ALS wheelchair and an eye gaze communication device. I haven’t gotten mine yet, but they are in the works, I’ve been given equipment to help with bathroom needs. I’m so glad you have a wonderful wife and beautiful children who obviously love you so much. I also have two daughters who are married and five grandchildren who are grown. We’re also very close, but they don’t live in the town with me, my church has been so kind and bringing food twice a week. My husband is not a cook, but he has had to do a lot of caregiving. am employing a young lady to come several hours each day to help with many things that house needs to survive. I am 77 years old, and also a former teacher. I know you loved teaching, but you have been teaching me and many others how to persevere through this disease that has been assigned to us. I know you have faith as I do. God is with us and one day sooner than later, we will see his face.
I got so upset when you talked about the ‘approved’ medicine and how it made you worse, yet the fda seems to have not done much of anything to get the other medicines approved. It’s so frustrating, and I’m so incredibly sorry you are dealing with this. Your courage to vlog your experience is unmeasurable. I cannot imagine what you are going through. This disease scares me to my core. I hope there is a day where no one is affected by this.
Hi Darin…..greetings from Toronto. Thank you for sharing your feelings today. Today at Temple, our minister’s dharma talk was exactly what you spoke about today in your video. He said, don’t worry about the days ahead, just focus on today, and to be thankful for everything….today. He shared a story about his friend who had ALS. His friend George would say, “although I cannot use my hand like I used to, I do still have the ability to raise my arm”. And when he lost ability to raise his arm, George said he was grateful for being able to lift his head up. And close to the end of his life, the minister went to visit George. George smiled and said how grateful he was to open his eyes and see a new day. I received my “go find some joy” t-shirt. I love it. It reminds me to not sweat over the small stuff and to simply find joy. Thanks Darin. Take good care. Gambatte.
You are in my prayers continually! I lift you up in the name of Jesus who is the great physician and who promises to NEVER leave us or forsake us……You bring me joy when I watch your courage in your videos……..
I love listening to you so much Darin. You my dear are an inspiration to me in my everyday life and I don’t have ALS. I’m 76, retired and live alone. Family is not in my life much anymore. I have chronic pain from osteoarthritis and I do my best to move around. You have such an upbeat attitude and I love that. I lost my girlfriend one day after celebrating her 70th birthday. She had recently moved into assisted living on the ALS floor. She loved it there and I’d go often to have lunch with her. Her disease progressed rapidly and she ended up with an electric wheelchair that she loved. Her legs were no longer functioning yet she could transfer from her chair to the toilet during the day with no problem. The day after her birthday she fell between the toilet and the wall and was so wedged she couldn’t pull the alarm she wore around her neck. We were all devastated. I think about her every day. I walk outside everyday no matter how bad I hurt and I feel grateful that I can still walk. I try to focus being outdoors rather than the pain I’m in. Boy, we do get curves in life and knowing how much you loved teaching, I know how tough it is that you can’t teach anymore. I admire you and I’ll be with you until you can’t make videos anymore! You’re strong in the mind and you can still do many things like you are doing with these videos. Love to you and your caring wife! 👍👏💕
Darin I have followed you for quite a while and loved your positive spirit in the educational field. I know you are a Christian and I am saying prayers for you right now. May God be especially close to you through this journey! You have made an impact and difference with your presence! Much love to you!
Diagnosed last week and I'm hanging on every video. What spoke to me so loudly in this vid was the filter out the negative!!! I joined an als FB group and it's sooooo negative. Thank you Darin for being so honest about how hard this is AND doing it in a joyful way. You are helping me more than you know. "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" Rom 12:15
Darin I have seen this disease very closely. My mom had it. All I can say to you is that stay strong. Because you are a fighter. You may have ALS but you are a warrior. Remember every single breath you take is a gift from God. Every day is a present from God. Make the most of it. Try to feed yourself foods cooked at home from scratch. It will help you and keep you strong. Don’t give up moving. Keep moving no matter what or how you do it. Don’t confine yourself in your room or bed. Go outside. Meet people. Watch happy funny movies and videos. And always speak positive no matter what. The brain doesn’t no otherwise. Stay blessed 🙏
I am in that limbo of my regular neurologist sending me for second opinion with the referral stating “concern for als”….I feel like I have it. I feel like no one wants to tell me because it is too sad. But I need to know. I’m being seen at the neurology clinic at University of Michigan and am waiting for a referral to their brachial plexus clinic as my presenting symptom is weakness of my left shoulder and arm. I appreciate your candor and positive outlook. All while keeping it real. Watching your videos makes me feel like I’m sitting there with you, talking to a friend. Keeping posting, it is immensely helpful. Thank you
Praying for you, your wife, kids, loved ones & friends! I agree about people telling you how bad this is! When my husband was diagnosed I had someone tell me I had no idea what was about to happen & I was naive. I know it was said outta concern but let me be naive while I can. I've googled like it's my 2nd job so I know what this looks like, let us find joy & laugh. You are loved! You are cherished! You are NOT a burden! Dignity is not the ability to pull up your pants or feed yourself. Dignity is how you speak to others, how you love others & inspire us all. You are the picture of dignity & grace!! Much love to you & yours as we walk this road along side of you ❤️
Darin, I’m so sorry for your suffering. I’m learning so much from you that has nothing to do with ALS. I’m trying to change the way I live, to find joy every day and not take the small things in life for granted. Even at this time in your life, you remain a great teacher. I hope you realize that. Sending prayers and love
Thankyou for sharing this Darin. I was diagnosed last October 2023. Hearing you is like listening to my thoughts. I don't want to hear what's going to happen anymore I'm living day to day. I was laughing at you saying about pulling up trousers ,as we inUK call pants. My husband too has to pull mine up sometimes too and we laugh about it, our relationship still the same and I am lucky. He doesn't let me be despondent and we focus on what we can do and live life to the fullest. When I was diagnosed I actually wished I had cancer instead, as there are many people cured and we have no cure yet, but since my diagnosis my brother in law has passed from cancer and a close friend is in her final stages so that was a wake up to appreciate how lucky I am , with friends and family. There is joy still in life and hope. Keep doing these videos, its a pleasure to listen to you and I love to see your garden. I have faith we will see a cure in our lifetime and that also keeps me strong. Take care and see you soon ❤
Hi Darin Greetings from Sunny Eastbourne, the sunshine coast of UK. Joy! I went to see a new Neurologist yesterday, I was supposed to get a second opinion. I was sent to the same department but saw someone new. I waited in line 18 months for this day. He sided with the former Neurologist and said he will just wait and watch. Those were his words. I asked for new tests to rule out this and that, No was my answer. I feel like I'm crying out loud but it's coming out silent. Hugs from Carol-Joy, Eastbourne (that's my real name!) :)
That's the reason why a certain clinic in Switzerland is called "Dignitas", it promotes the choice of avoiding losing ones dignity by doing a very controversial thing that I won't mention here. I'm not for, nor against it, it's a very personal choice Edit: I don't know if such information gives comfort by knowing you have a backup plan if things get too unbearable, or if it makes you uncomfortable to know such option even exists. Unintentionally gating potentially helpful information is a pickle with such subjects Find as much joy as you can.
I absolutely hate that you and your family are having to go through this, but I want you to know that I feel joy and hope in watching your journey. I haven’t given up on a miracle and I’m still praying for you! Go find some joy!
Hey Darin, you will continue to be a teacher for all of us. That’s the highest office anyone can obtain so safeguard and treasure what you can do to inspire the people you love. And strangers alike. All will carry your lessons of life for generations to come.
You are amazing Darin. I walked my husband's ALS journey together with him. I saw how hard it was for him to lose his dignity. I want to assure you that I never considered it a burden - even the most pesky task I had to do for him didn't cause any resentment. If you decide to add a professional caretaker ... know that this is their job. They chose to help. I hate ALS and what it did to the love of my life. We fought against an unknown enemy until 4 days before he passed. So there was hope almost until the end. He was picky too with whom he interacted. I totally get that. You don't want to waste time. I believe the biggest gift I got from ALS (yes, that was a gift) was the closeness that developed during the last half year of his life. I never was that close to any other human being in my entire life. Thank you for giving me peace of mind by explaining that the ALS clinic didn't really change anything except for the coordination of medical treatments. Thank you for your updates. It made a huge difference to follow your journey in the way I grieve for my husband. You are my hero!!!!
Bless you, honey. Your videos are so real and needed. I pray that you and your family continue to live each day with Joy,Love and Peace. Sending hugs and love from the UK xx
Mr. N! You’re a light, an inspiration! You’re an Angel of God! Your positivity is such a sign the Lord is holding your hand so strong! Your challenges makes our hurdles seem so insignificant! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your authenticity! Prayers & virtual hugs from Paraguay! 🇵🇾
Darin, you are an inspiration in the face of adversity. Your courage is contagious and is helpful to so many! You hang in there...we're thinking of you and wish you the best!
Darin God Bless you very much. I prayed so hard for you and your love ones I,m 68 years old and retired from teaching. Enjoy each like I try so much to do. Blessings for being able to show us corage.❤
The balancing & thoughtfulness you share are down to earth and appreciated even the aspects that are difficult. You are often sitting in settings, inviting & comforting---here, your dog, a fire, a blanket, a sky. Thank you for the visit & welcome.
Darin you are the most positive person I know. Well I feel like I know you. I started watching your teaching vlogs many years ago. I remember seeing you on a skateboard, rolling into school. It may have been spring or summer. I will find joy and reminder myself to bypass the negativity that surrounds my world and look for the joy instead. Thank you for being real and showing your followers hope, compassion, and gratefulness. You are still teaching because that is who you are. ❤
Darin, Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book. New Living Translation. Wishing you abundant joy for each day, in Jesus Name, from Mississippi 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 🩵
Always keeping you in my prayers and I’m encouraged by your courage and humor with each video. Thank you for reminding us all to find joy wherever and whenever we are able.❤️🌺
Darin, Try & Stay positive. We are praying for you & your family. I lost someone very dear to me from ALS but he had it for 17 years. Fight ,Dont give up!! Always know there is always Hope !🙏🏻💙
Hi Darin. Sometimes I find myself getting down and feeling like things are pretty hopeless. Then I think of how brave you are and the good fight you're putting up That gives me strength to press on. Thank you.
God bless you for your transparency and generosity in sharing this experience with the world. ALS is a terrible disease, and you are an exceptional man🙏❤️
Hit send too soon. My mom passed from ALS in May, and our relationship was historically rocky. The year I spent helping to care for her and love her in and through her suffering was a profound and priceless gift. Our entire extended family experienced so much healing and reconciliation, even the darkness of her suffering. Praise God her race is now won. She never found your level of acceptance with the diagnosis, and I can’t begin to explain what a gift you are giving your family by living in both acceptance and radical hope. May the Lord pour out abundant graces and consolations for you and your wife and children.
My hubby experienced the same as you with cervical surgery to repair stenosis in 11/2022 and he never got back to his normal self. He started to decline. We live in a small town in south west Arizona and healthcare here is limited. He’s been going to Phoenix to see a specialist and just had EMG. At one time he was diagnosed with MS and they couldn’t confirm it on the MRI. His testing showed negative to everything. He is been walking with a walker for a year now and he says he feels so weak and heavy. I pray that he gets a diagnosis soon. He is grieving his prior life, working all his life building things was his therapy and now he is unable to that. He misses his co workers and the fun he had working . I pray for you and your family!
Such an inspiration!!! Sorry things are progressing and life is getting more challenging but what a wonderful teacher of presence and joy. I have stage 4 ovarian and you're videos make me sad but also really encourage me too.. I feel like giving you a reassuring hug and saying I love you Man!!! Am finding joy everyday... best of all wishes wished for you.
Darin, you are so inspirational for always bringing out the joy of living every moment no matter what…Your personality is full of honesty, warmth, kindness, thoughtfulness, positivity, elegance and enthusiasm from your very first video ( winning the sweeps) to now…You really bring light and love to everyone who knows you and watches your videos! ❤from Montreal
From one human being to another, I love you and appreciate you sharing your story. You have helped me to find and encourage others to find joy everyday. I pray for you and all others diagnosed with ALS. Find some Joy 🫂!
I live in London and have Mnd I am involved in a trail called Mndsmart I was diagnosed nearly 3 years ago I find what you say very familiar keep going I find what you’re saying very interesting thanks frank
Darin, I am praying for you and your family as you walk this difficult road. Your hope is an inspiration to many. Sending so much love and rooting for you! “Thanks be to God, for He always causes us to triumph.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
I admire and love you!!!! I know it is the love of GOD in your heart, that is giving you this strength!!!! You are truly a beacon!!! Keep shining! Go find some joy!❤
Darin you have a beautiful heart. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. May the Lord hold you close and be your comfort. Much love ❤️ Praying for you. Go find some joy!
Thank you SO much for your Truth and your words. They encourage me and I'm sure many, many others to look around ourselves and find the beauty and blessings that are right beside us, even with the challenges we face. Your body may have lost strength but your incredible, indelible spirit shines through brighter with every moment. Now I will go find some joy!
My uncle was recently diagnosed with ALS. His attitude reminds me of yours. He is taking things one day at a time and not getting ahead of himself. Anticipating what is next is futile. None of us know, and whatever we conjure up in our heads is likely very different from what tomorrow will actually look like. Thank you for sharing your experience. Sending joy to you.
I'm sorry for the diagnosis of ALS. Its a hard disease to fight with. Just please allow your loved ones to help you and it helps them to feel much better. I wish there was a Cure. Bless you and know I've been praying for you and your family. Bless each of you. 🥰❤️🙏🏻
I started to notice muscle and weight lost in November 2023 and was going back and forth seeiing doctors and was told I had als in May of 2024 ,I am now going to try stem cell treatment in a few weeks hoping for some kind of help.
Darin, thank you for the update. You arebon my prayer list and I ask the Lord to sjiw you His grace & mercy. How wonderful that yoyr remaining days will have joy. It’s a minset. Godbis on your side and keeps blessing you❤️
I am a math teacher who stumbled across your channel by accident last year. I was immediately touched by your kind spirit. I come here to watch one of your videos when I am feeling a little down. Your joy in the face of adversity is inspiring. Thank you for lifting my spirit. I wish i could do the same for you.
Follow your heart, Darin, and keep being you. In all your struggles, your positivity radiates. ☀️ “When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return.” ❤️ #GoFindSomeJoy ❤️
I will follow you on this journey. I empathize since I have lupus. When you say having cancer at least has a treatment. I used to say the same thing when I was 1st diagnosed. I wished it was cancer instead. It’s been hell living with lupus for 20 yrs because basically no treatment and no cure. But I grew to try and find happiness in my days. Had people always telling me their so called “cures” or reason I was sick. Make diet changes, don’t drink diet cokes, take coffee enemas, etc. I’ve taken plaquinil for 20 yrs that’s supposed to help with lupus flares and when I thought it wasn’t I was labeled a non-compliant patient. I’ve had my ovaries removed to put me in menopause because post menopausal women have less flares. Nothing really ever helped. I learned to finally tell people to just stop. I had to learn how to find happiness in finding ways to live my life with this disease. So I hear what you say and it resonates with me so much. What I did that I regret is to isolate myself and rid myself of friendships. So I have a very small circle around me. Just family and they assure me they don’t mind at all when I need help with something. My fiancé died of lung cancer 12 yrs ago and I never dated again. I did’t want a significant other thinking I’d be a burden. So I’m lonely. But you’ll find that you’re not a burden because they love you. So keep those friendships and let family help you without feeling bad. They love you and will want to help you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for being real and authenic. I know this disease is hard but you have such grace and dignity. That is so inspiring to me. I have watched you for years. Keep up the faith and hope. God bless you and your family.
Darin, I look forward to your IG stories every day. Everything you have shared has always been an inspiration. “Go find some joy” has become my daily mantra and what I share with my students each day during morning meeting. You have not just inspired me but so many others. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU. I continue to pray for you and your family daily.
Darin, many years ago my husband broke his hand and could not dress himself for several weeks. He said it was humiliating. I am not in any way making light of your illness or comparing it to my husband’s experience. I just want you to know that your feelings are valid. Your family understands that, and they love you enough to take care of whatever you need.
Well said …
#DrOlubor compassionate care, cutting-edge,methods, and holistic approach helped me achieve complete remission from herpes.
I will try to find Joy. Watching my beloved husband struggle with stage 4 cancer is not a joyful experience.
But, for you, Mr. N, I will try, Thank you.
You are feeling like you are loosing dignity, yet you are actually forced to depend on others who will be forever grateful that you trusted them with your care. I love your heart in this. You are educating us and letting us see how a person who chooses joy responds to such a very tough disease. Praying
Thanks and God bless you ! Lets find joy every day!❤🎉
I bought a lift chair because of your salesmanship when you told us about yours, I really like it. I know what you mean about losing your dignity with ALS. Having someone have to help with the shower is hard for me. I was diagnosed August 27, 2024. However, I believe I’ve had ALS for at least a year and a half before that. No one seems to be able to diagnose it! I live in Tennessee. There are many good things like an ALS wheelchair and an eye gaze communication device. I haven’t gotten mine yet, but they are in the works, I’ve been given equipment to help with bathroom needs. I’m so glad you have a wonderful wife and beautiful children who obviously love you so much. I also have two daughters who are married and five grandchildren who are grown. We’re also very close, but they don’t live in the town with me, my church has been so kind and bringing food twice a week. My husband is not a cook, but he has had to do a lot of caregiving. am employing a young lady to come several hours each day to help with many things that house needs to survive. I am 77 years old, and also a former teacher. I know you loved teaching, but you have been teaching me and many others how to persevere through this disease that has been assigned to us. I know you have faith as I do. God is with us and one day sooner than later, we will see his face.
I can't imagine maintaining an inkling of faith while experiencing such hardship. it's truly inspirational.
I am going thru that right now. This disease takes everything away😢😢
So sorry 🙏
So sorry you are going thru this..sending you prayers
Damit. Hate als.
Prayers sent 🙏🙏❤️🇨🇦
Thank you for all the joy you share with all of us!
I got so upset when you talked about the ‘approved’ medicine and how it made you worse, yet the fda seems to have not done much of anything to get the other medicines approved. It’s so frustrating, and I’m so incredibly sorry you are dealing with this. Your courage to vlog your experience is unmeasurable. I cannot imagine what you are going through. This disease scares me to my core. I hope there is a day where no one is affected by this.
We lost our mom to ALS on Friday the 13 November 2020 she was a fighter and we miss her dearly❤ find some joy
Hi Darin…..greetings from Toronto. Thank you for sharing your feelings today. Today at Temple, our minister’s dharma talk was exactly what you spoke about today in your video. He said, don’t worry about the days ahead, just focus on today, and to be thankful for everything….today. He shared a story about his friend who had ALS. His friend George would say, “although I cannot use my hand like I used to, I do still have the ability to raise my arm”. And when he lost ability to raise his arm, George said he was grateful for being able to lift his head up. And close to the end of his life, the minister went to visit George. George smiled and said how grateful he was to open his eyes and see a new day. I received my “go find some joy” t-shirt. I love it. It reminds me to not sweat over the small stuff and to simply find joy. Thanks Darin. Take good care. Gambatte.
You encouraged me as a teacher so much during Covid shutdown. now, I want to encourage you. Let’s find some joy together.
You are in my prayers continually! I lift you up in the name of Jesus who is the great physician and who promises to NEVER leave us or forsake us……You bring me joy when I watch your courage in your videos……..
I love listening to you so much Darin. You my dear are an inspiration to me in my everyday life and I don’t have ALS. I’m 76, retired and live alone. Family is not in my life much anymore. I have chronic pain from osteoarthritis and I do my best to move around. You have such an upbeat attitude and I love that. I lost my girlfriend one day after celebrating her 70th birthday. She had recently moved into assisted living on the ALS floor. She loved it there and I’d go often to have lunch with her. Her disease progressed rapidly and she ended up with an electric wheelchair that she loved. Her legs were no longer functioning yet she could transfer from her chair to the toilet during the day with no problem. The day after her birthday she fell between the toilet and the wall and was so wedged she couldn’t pull the alarm she wore around her neck. We were all devastated. I think about her every day. I walk outside everyday no matter how bad I hurt and I feel grateful that I can still walk. I try to focus being outdoors rather than the pain I’m in. Boy, we do get curves in life and knowing how much you loved teaching, I know how tough it is that you can’t teach anymore. I admire you and I’ll be with you until you can’t make videos anymore! You’re strong in the mind and you can still do many things like you are doing with these videos. Love to you and your caring wife! 👍👏💕
Darin I have followed you for quite a while and loved your positive spirit in the educational field. I know you are a Christian and I am saying prayers for you right now. May God be especially close to you through this journey! You have made an impact and difference with your presence! Much love to you!
May you be strengthened through God almighty and may He bring joy!
Diagnosed last week and I'm hanging on every video. What spoke to me so loudly in this vid was the filter out the negative!!! I joined an als FB group and it's sooooo negative. Thank you Darin for being so honest about how hard this is AND doing it in a joyful way. You are helping me more than you know. "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" Rom 12:15
Darin, you continue to be a teacher. What a gift to the world!❤
You have so much goodness around you & go find some joy
Bless you Darin-when I’m feeling down, I think of you. Thanks for the joy you share.❤❤❤
Darin I have seen this disease very closely. My mom had it.
All I can say to you is that stay strong. Because you are a fighter. You may have ALS but you are a warrior.
Remember every single breath you take is a gift from God. Every day is a present from God. Make the most of it.
Try to feed yourself foods cooked at home from scratch. It will help you and keep you strong.
Don’t give up moving. Keep moving no matter what or how you do it. Don’t confine yourself in your room or bed. Go outside. Meet people. Watch happy funny movies and videos.
And always speak positive no matter what. The brain doesn’t no otherwise.
Stay blessed 🙏
I am so sorry Darin. You were dealt a bad hand but please keep fighting. You deserve to be cared for❤
The world is a better place with you in it! Thanks for sharing your journey!
I am in that limbo of my regular neurologist sending me for second opinion with the referral stating “concern for als”….I feel like I have it. I feel like no one wants to tell me because it is too sad. But I need to know. I’m being seen at the neurology clinic at University of Michigan and am waiting for a referral to their brachial plexus clinic as my presenting symptom is weakness of my left shoulder and arm. I appreciate your candor and positive outlook. All while keeping it real. Watching your videos makes me feel like I’m sitting there with you, talking to a friend. Keeping posting, it is immensely helpful. Thank you
Praying for you, your wife, kids, loved ones & friends! I agree about people telling you how bad this is! When my husband was diagnosed I had someone tell me I had no idea what was about to happen & I was naive. I know it was said outta concern but let me be naive while I can. I've googled like it's my 2nd job so I know what this looks like, let us find joy & laugh. You are loved! You are cherished! You are NOT a burden! Dignity is not the ability to pull up your pants or feed yourself. Dignity is how you speak to others, how you love others & inspire us all. You are the picture of dignity & grace!! Much love to you & yours as we walk this road along side of you ❤️
You are an incredible person❤️🩹
Greetings from Turkey
Darin, I’m so sorry for your suffering. I’m learning so much from you that has nothing to do with ALS. I’m trying to change the way I live, to find joy every day and not take the small things in life for granted. Even at this time in your life, you remain a great teacher. I hope you realize that. Sending prayers and love
❤ finding joy ❤
Your videos help me understand what my husband is going through on his ALS journey. It means a lot to us. Thank you.
Continued prayers for you, my friend!
Thankyou for sharing this Darin. I was diagnosed last October 2023. Hearing you is like listening to my thoughts. I don't want to hear what's going to happen anymore I'm living day to day. I was laughing at you saying about pulling up trousers ,as we inUK call pants. My husband too has to pull mine up sometimes too and we laugh about it, our relationship still the same and I am lucky. He doesn't let me be despondent and we focus on what we can do and live life to the fullest. When I was diagnosed I actually wished I had cancer instead, as there are many people cured and we have no cure yet, but since my diagnosis my brother in law has passed from cancer and a close friend is in her final stages so that was a wake up to appreciate how lucky I am , with friends and family. There is joy still in life and hope. Keep doing these videos, its a pleasure to listen to you and I love to see your garden. I have faith we will see a cure in our lifetime and that also keeps me strong. Take care and see you soon ❤
Hi Darin
Greetings from Sunny Eastbourne, the sunshine coast of UK. Joy!
I went to see a new Neurologist yesterday, I was supposed to get a second opinion.
I was sent to the same department but saw someone new.
I waited in line 18 months for this day.
He sided with the former Neurologist and said he will just wait and watch. Those were his words. I asked for new tests to rule out this and that, No was my answer.
I feel like I'm crying out loud but it's coming out silent.
Hugs from Carol-Joy, Eastbourne (that's my real name!) :)
Love your unbreakable spirit and wise words. Appreciate you Darin, let's find some joy.
That's the reason why a certain clinic in Switzerland is called "Dignitas", it promotes the choice of avoiding losing ones dignity by doing a very controversial thing that I won't mention here. I'm not for, nor against it, it's a very personal choice
Edit: I don't know if such information gives comfort by knowing you have a backup plan if things get too unbearable, or if it makes you uncomfortable to know such option even exists. Unintentionally gating potentially helpful information is a pickle with such subjects
Find as much joy as you can.
I have MS and You give me hope and joy! Thank-you sir.
Bless you, Darin, and bless your family.
I absolutely hate that you and your family are having to go through this, but I want you to know that I feel joy and hope in watching your journey. I haven’t given up on a miracle and I’m still praying for you! Go find some joy!
Thank you for finding the joy.
Bless your beautiful heart ❤ much love to you and your family. Your dog is so cute ❤🐶 xxx
Go find some joy ❤️🫂 xxx
Hey Darin, you will continue to be a teacher for all of us. That’s the highest office anyone can obtain so safeguard and treasure what you can do to inspire the people you love. And strangers alike. All will carry your lessons of life for generations to come.
You are amazing Darin. I walked my husband's ALS journey together with him. I saw how hard it was for him to lose his dignity. I want to assure you that I never considered it a burden - even the most pesky task I had to do for him didn't cause any resentment. If you decide to add a professional caretaker ... know that this is their job. They chose to help. I hate ALS and what it did to the love of my life. We fought against an unknown enemy until 4 days before he passed. So there was hope almost until the end. He was picky too with whom he interacted. I totally get that. You don't want to waste time. I believe the biggest gift I got from ALS (yes, that was a gift) was the closeness that developed during the last half year of his life. I never was that close to any other human being in my entire life. Thank you for giving me peace of mind by explaining that the ALS clinic didn't really change anything except for the coordination of medical treatments. Thank you for your updates. It made a huge difference to follow your journey in the way I grieve for my husband. You are my hero!!!!
Such a faithful witness❤. Bless you!!
Bless you, honey. Your videos are so real and needed. I pray that you and your family continue to live each day with Joy,Love and Peace. Sending hugs and love from the UK xx
Mr. N! You’re a light, an inspiration! You’re an Angel of God! Your positivity is such a sign the Lord is holding your hand so strong! Your challenges makes our hurdles seem so insignificant! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your authenticity! Prayers & virtual hugs from Paraguay! 🇵🇾
Darin, you are an inspiration in the face of adversity. Your courage is contagious and is helpful to so many! You hang in there...we're thinking of you and wish you the best!
Darin God Bless you very much. I prayed so hard for you and your love ones I,m 68 years old and retired from teaching. Enjoy each like I try so much to do. Blessings for being able to show us corage.❤
The balancing & thoughtfulness you share are down to earth and appreciated even the aspects that are difficult. You are often sitting in settings, inviting & comforting---here, your dog, a fire, a blanket, a sky. Thank you for the visit & welcome.
Thank you for continuing to let us witness you dealing with ALS 🙏🙏🙏❤️
Hugs from Brasil
Darin you are the most positive person I know. Well I feel like I know you. I started watching your teaching vlogs many years ago. I remember seeing you on a skateboard, rolling into school. It may have been spring or summer. I will find joy and reminder myself to bypass the negativity that surrounds my world and look for the joy instead. Thank you for being real and showing your followers hope, compassion, and gratefulness. You are still teaching because that is who you are. ❤
I am actively dying from cerebral, systemic lupus and in so much pain all the time, am bed ridden too, God Bless you...
Darin, Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.
New Living Translation. Wishing you abundant joy for each day, in Jesus Name, from Mississippi 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 🩵
Always keeping you in my prayers and I’m encouraged by your courage and humor with each video. Thank you for reminding us all to find joy wherever and whenever we are able.❤️🌺
Darin, sharing your truthful experience and how you handle life is inspirational. God bless you and your family.
Praying for you Brother!! You are such a brave man. We are praying everyday for you!! Go find some joy!!
Prayers for peace and comfort. Go find JOY. Enjoy the sunshine and make each day the best it can be.
You are a good man Darin and so honest dealing with this. It is an awful disease and hope a cure will be found. Sending hugs, prayers and joy. 🙏🙏🙏♥♥♥
Darin, Try & Stay positive. We are praying for you & your family. I lost someone very dear to me from ALS but he had it for 17 years. Fight ,Dont give up!! Always know there is always Hope !🙏🏻💙
Hi Darin. Sometimes I find myself getting down and feeling like things are pretty hopeless. Then I think of how brave you are and the good fight you're putting up That gives me strength to press on. Thank you.
I have so much respect for you. You’re so humble. God Bless you. Prayers
God bless you for your transparency and generosity in sharing this experience with the world. ALS is a terrible disease, and you are an exceptional man🙏❤️
Hit send too soon. My mom passed from ALS in May, and our relationship was historically rocky. The year I spent helping to care for her and love her in and through her suffering was a profound and priceless gift. Our entire extended family experienced so much healing and reconciliation, even the darkness of her suffering. Praise God her race is now won. She never found your level of acceptance with the diagnosis, and I can’t begin to explain what a gift you are giving your family by living in both acceptance and radical hope. May the Lord pour out abundant graces and consolations for you and your wife and children.
My hubby experienced the same as you with cervical surgery to repair stenosis in 11/2022 and he never got back to his normal self. He started to decline. We live in a small town in south west Arizona and healthcare here is limited. He’s been going to Phoenix to see a specialist and just had EMG. At one time he was diagnosed with MS and they couldn’t confirm it on the MRI. His testing showed negative to everything. He is been walking with a walker for a year now and he says he feels so weak and heavy. I pray that he gets a diagnosis soon. He is grieving his prior life, working all his life building things was his therapy and now he is unable to that. He misses his co workers and the fun he had working . I pray for you and your family!
God is good and I know he is with you!
What a beautiful dog. I have a corgi too.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you so much for documenting your journey. I know you will help countless people in various struggles. Sending you all the love from Atlanta.
Such an inspiration!!! Sorry things are progressing and life is getting more challenging but what a wonderful teacher of presence and joy. I have stage 4 ovarian and you're videos make me sad but also really encourage me too.. I feel like giving you a reassuring hug and saying I love you Man!!! Am finding joy everyday... best of all wishes wished for you.
Darin, you are so inspirational for always bringing out the joy of living every moment no matter what…Your personality is full of honesty, warmth, kindness, thoughtfulness, positivity, elegance and enthusiasm from your very first video ( winning the sweeps) to now…You really bring light and love to everyone who knows you and watches your videos! ❤from Montreal
Thanks Darin, your honesty and good character are a shining light to those who may find themselves in similar situation now and in future.
From one human being to another, I love you and appreciate you sharing your story. You have helped me to find and encourage others to find joy everyday. I pray for you and all others diagnosed with ALS. Find some Joy 🫂!
Darin you are an inspiration to so many!! I pray for grace,peace and white lite around you.
Continued prayers and hugs sent 🙏🙏❤️🇨🇦
I live in London and have Mnd I am involved in a trail called Mndsmart I was diagnosed nearly 3 years ago I find what you say very familiar keep going I find what you’re saying very interesting thanks frank
Darin,
I am praying for you and your family as you walk this difficult road. Your hope is an inspiration to many. Sending so much love and rooting for you! “Thanks be to God, for He always causes us to triumph.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
you are in my heart and prayers dear one in this challenging time. you are so inspiring and a beautiful soul.
You are an inspiration to all. God bless you! Thank you for encouraging joy.
This breaks my heart, such an horrible disease. My wish for you to have more goods days than bad. Thank you for sharing your journey ❤
I admire and love you!!!! I know it is the love of GOD in your heart, that is giving you this strength!!!!
You are truly a beacon!!! Keep shining!
Go find some joy!❤
Darin you have a beautiful heart. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. May the Lord hold you close and be your comfort. Much love ❤️ Praying for you.
Go find some joy!
Thank you SO much for your Truth and your words. They encourage me and I'm sure many, many others to look around ourselves and find the beauty and blessings that are right beside us, even with the challenges we face. Your body may have lost strength but your incredible, indelible spirit shines through brighter with every moment. Now I will go find some joy!
Thank you for your encouraging words ! I will choose to find joy. 💗
My uncle was recently diagnosed with ALS. His attitude reminds me of yours. He is taking things one day at a time and not getting ahead of himself. Anticipating what is next is futile. None of us know, and whatever we conjure up in our heads is likely very different from what tomorrow will actually look like. Thank you for sharing your experience. Sending joy to you.
I'm sorry for the diagnosis of ALS. Its a hard disease to fight with. Just please allow your loved ones to help you and it helps them to feel much better. I wish there was a Cure. Bless you and know I've been praying for you and your family. Bless each of you. 🥰❤️🙏🏻
I started to notice muscle and weight lost in November 2023 and was going back and forth seeiing doctors and was told I had als in May of 2024 ,I am now going to try stem cell treatment in a few weeks hoping for some kind of help.
Darin, thank you for the update. You arebon my prayer list and I ask the Lord to sjiw you His grace & mercy. How wonderful that yoyr remaining days will have joy. It’s a minset.
Godbis on your side and keeps blessing you❤️
I hate this disease. You are in my thoughts.
Thank you ❣️
I am a math teacher who stumbled across your channel by accident last year. I was immediately touched by your kind spirit. I come here to watch one of your videos when I am feeling a little down. Your joy in the face of adversity is inspiring. Thank you for lifting my spirit. I wish i could do the same for you.
Follow your heart, Darin, and keep being you. In all your struggles, your positivity radiates. ☀️
“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return.”
❤️ #GoFindSomeJoy ❤️
love you and appreciate you sharing your story.
I appreciate you, Darin! Love and blessings to you and your family. May Jesus hold you in the palm of His hand!
You are a my inspiration to me ❤❤❤
I have primary lateral sclerosis PLS a variant of ALS . You are glorious 😍
I hate this disease. I'm so sorry, Darin.
Thank you for sharing brother
You are our inspiration❤
You are the joy. Your wife is the joy. Your family is the joy.
Blessings to you on this journey♥️
The way you find positivity and find joy is an inspiration to many. Thank you for all that you do.
I will follow you on this journey. I empathize since I have lupus. When you say having cancer at least has a treatment. I used to say the same thing when I was 1st diagnosed. I wished it was cancer instead. It’s been hell living with lupus for 20 yrs because basically no treatment and no cure. But I grew to try and find happiness in my days. Had people always telling me their so called “cures” or reason I was sick. Make diet changes, don’t drink diet cokes, take coffee enemas, etc. I’ve taken plaquinil for 20 yrs that’s supposed to help with lupus flares and when I thought it wasn’t I was labeled a non-compliant patient. I’ve had my ovaries removed to put me in menopause because post menopausal women have less flares. Nothing really ever helped. I learned to finally tell people to just stop. I had to learn how to find happiness in finding ways to live my life with this disease. So I hear what you say and it resonates with me so much. What I did that I regret is to isolate myself and rid myself of friendships. So I have a very small circle around me. Just family and they assure me they don’t mind at all when I need help with something. My fiancé died of lung cancer 12 yrs ago and I never dated again. I did’t want a significant other thinking I’d be a burden. So I’m lonely. But you’ll find that you’re not a burden because they love you. So keep those friendships and let family help you without feeling bad. They love you and will want to help you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Good to see you. Enjoy your videos. ❤
Go find some joy. ❤️🙏🏻
God Bless - Your videos are just simply powerful messages for all!
Thank you for being real and authenic. I know this disease is hard but you have such grace and dignity. That is so inspiring to me. I have watched you for years. Keep up the faith and hope. God bless you and your family.
Darin, I look forward to your IG stories every day. Everything you have shared has always been an inspiration. “Go find some joy” has become my daily mantra and what I share with my students each day during morning meeting. You have not just inspired me but so many others. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU. I continue to pray for you and your family daily.
What a beautiful dog. I have a corgi too.
Thank you for sharing your story.