‘Every day is a blessing’

Hacker deals with ALS

By Fritz Busch — Staff Writer

BROWN COUNTY - Several years ago, Dan Hacker found it more and more difficult to walk.

Doctors didn't know what caused his lower leg weakness at first, so they began doing tests.

About 15 months ago, Hacker was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Schlerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The progressive, often fatal, neurodegenerative disease is caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement.

His mental and sensory functions intact, Hacker stays as active as he can be.

Hacker's motto is "every day is a blessing."

An battery-operated, motorized wheelchair powers Hacker around his home.

It's located next to Hacker's Tree Farm Nursery & Greenhouse, midway between Sleepy Eye and Springfield.

Birds are among Hacker's blessings.

A large, wooded backyard with bird feeders offers pheasants, squirrels and many types of birds.

Typing with two fingers, Hacker keeps in touch with his friends and makes new ones online.

He and his wife Lynn have two grandchildren and two more on the way.

Dan still helps manage the family nursery business.

Once a month, he rides to Minneapolis for an ALS Clinic near Hennepin County Medical Center.

Many specialists visit him while he stays in one place.

"The clinic is wonderful. It has neurologists, dieticians, respiratory therapists and social workers," Lynn said.

Dan takes a daily vitamin. A prescription drug "Rilatek," is designed to slow down ALS.

He eats slowly, careful to chew his food.

Hacker is getting more involved with CaringBridge online. Services include free, personalized web sites that support and connect loved ones during critical illness, treatment and recovery.

Scientists have not found a definitive cause of ALS. It has been linked to several factors including a virus; exposure to neurotoxins or heavy metals; DNA defects, immune system abnormalities; and enzyme abnormalities.

Spinal cord surgery has been thought to play a role in the onset of ALS due to nerve fiber disruption.

There is a known hereditary factor in familial ALS

Lynn called her husband's April 4 benefit at the Springfield Community Center "a celebration of life."

The benefit begins at 4 p.m. A pork meal will be served from 5-7 p.m. at a cost of $8 per person. A bake sale, silent auction, bean bag tournament, country western music by Heide and the Good Old Boys of Sleepy Eye follows.

Donations are payable to the Dan Hacker Benefit, United Prairie Bank, 200 N. Broadway, New Ulm, MN 56073 or United Prairie Bank, 2 S. Marshall, Springfield, MN 56087.

Auction donation items can be picked up. Contact Heather Hacker Hammer at heather@a2zinnia.com or Laurie Halvorson at ljhalvorson@hotmail.com.

Silent auction items can be dropped off at 309 Maple St. SE, Sleepy Eye.

For more information, visit www.caringbridge.org

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.