Dear Dr. L: ALS

Rooted in a personal interview with a single individual living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), this poem offers a reflective narrative that seeks to preserve and honor the specificity of the patient's voice. Rather than generalizing the experience of those with ALS, the work consciously maintains the integrity of one story--acknowledging the nuances, emotional depth, and individuality often lost in broader clinical disclosure. While clinicians and trainees are well-versed in the pathophysiology of ALS, they may have fewer opportunities to witness its lived experience through the eyes of a patient. Through verse, this piece invites readers to engage more fully with the emotional, physical, and social realities of a life reshaped by diagnosis. It aims to deepen empathy and promote truly patient-centered communication in neurologic care and education.