At 48 years old, Roger is navigating an ALS diagnosis with extraordinary courage, humor and generosity. He lives in Redmond, Oregon and first began noticing symptoms after neck surgery last summer. What started as slight weakness turned out to be limb-onset ALS — an unexpected and life-altering turn. But Roger isn’t one to shrink from a challenge. Instead, he’s facing ALS with a combination of realism and light-hearted defiance. “Smiling is my superpower,” he says.
Community as a Lifeline
Roger is committed to staying connected with his community and reshaping how people see ALS. He shares his journey on Instagram (@rogersmiles_als), where he brings levity, honesty, and vulnerability to his growing audience. Inspired by his experience, he also recently launched an online t-shirt company featuring bold, cheeky designs, with $1 from every sale supporting ALS Northwest.
Roger is quick to say that he’s not doing this alone. His family, friends, coworkers and ALS Northwest are his support people, helping him get through the hardest days. With a long career in hotel restaurant management, he continued working part-time as long as possible. Last September, rather than waiting for people to mourn him later, Roger even organized celebration of life at the hotel while he’s still here to enjoy it.
Support, Tools, and Possibilities
Like many living with ALS, Roger is adjusting to daily tasks that are becoming harder, like eating, using his phone, or folding laundry. He started eating with his left hand. But he remains open to support: “My hands aren’t working — but my head still does,” he says.
Roger was recently matched with an ALS Northwest Helping Hands volunteer in his community, who helps him with household tasks once a week. Because he experiences weakness in his hands, he also got connected with our Assistive Technology Services Coordinator for tools to continue accessing his phone and computer.
Most of all, Roger is eager to meet others living with ALS. He knows how heavy it can feel to process this diagnosis while still just trying to live your life. And his message to others is clear: you don’t have to do it alone.
