1 00:00:00,550 --> 00:00:05,394 [music] 2 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:08,007 -The hands, they're pretty purple today, aren't they, a little bit? 3 00:00:08,007 --> 00:00:08,687 -Yes. 4 00:00:08,778 --> 00:00:10,518 -Pull back as far as you can. 5 00:00:13,561 --> 00:00:14,761 Yes, hold that a second. 6 00:00:15,419 --> 00:00:18,148 Having been an athlete, I'm always using my body. 7 00:00:18,149 --> 00:00:19,899 I've always kept it in great shape, 8 00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:22,920 so I felt really alone when I got sick. 9 00:00:23,309 --> 00:00:25,593 -Let me know if it's too much, okay? -Okay. 10 00:00:25,833 --> 00:00:28,289 My body is a prison at this point. 11 00:00:30,609 --> 00:00:33,178 ALS is one of those diseases you can't fight 12 00:00:33,179 --> 00:00:34,179 against it. 13 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:36,780 I know it's going to take my life. 14 00:00:36,780 --> 00:00:38,880 I'm not going to let it take my happiness. 15 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:41,919 I was getting to the point where it was hard to walk. 16 00:00:41,919 --> 00:00:45,179 With Health First, when they got all the caregivers for me, 17 00:00:45,719 --> 00:00:49,469 oh my God, it changed my life this huge. 18 00:00:50,383 --> 00:00:51,383 This huge. 19 00:00:51,810 --> 00:00:53,880 I genuinely feel loved. 20 00:00:54,390 --> 00:00:56,550 I have realized I have angels in my life. 21 00:00:57,846 --> 00:00:59,616 I love this person. 22 00:00:59,730 --> 00:01:01,230 She is one of my best friends. 23 00:01:01,349 --> 00:01:03,624 One is Nicole. -I think I'm the best caregiver. 24 00:01:03,624 --> 00:01:04,380 [laughter] 25 00:01:04,570 --> 00:01:06,119 -I will support that. 26 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:07,920 She's definitely the best caregiver. 27 00:01:08,665 --> 00:01:11,009 Another angel in my life is Megan Gardiner. 28 00:01:11,030 --> 00:01:11,903 Hey, you. 29 00:01:11,963 --> 00:01:13,213 -Hello. [on-screen text] Tom and Megan 30 00:01:13,213 --> 00:01:13,993 talk on the phone every week, but this is the first in-person meeting. 31 00:01:14,024 --> 00:01:14,834 -Oh my gosh, how are you? 32 00:01:14,914 --> 00:01:16,344 It's such a pleasure to meet you. 33 00:01:16,344 --> 00:01:17,534 Get over here. Give me a hug. 34 00:01:17,534 --> 00:01:18,754 Oh my gosh, come here. 35 00:01:18,774 --> 00:01:20,924 Oh my God, you're so awesome. 36 00:01:21,413 --> 00:01:23,873 Man, I'm getting emotional talking about her. 37 00:01:25,619 --> 00:01:29,119 She changed my life more than anybody in the world. 38 00:01:29,409 --> 00:01:30,757 I'm trying to move closer to you. [on-screen text] Health First Colorado 39 00:01:30,757 --> 00:01:31,558 connected the two through their partnership 40 00:01:31,558 --> 00:01:32,125 with Colorado Community Health Alliance. -We're a good team. 41 00:01:32,126 --> 00:01:33,527 -I love it. -Every time we talk. 42 00:01:33,527 --> 00:01:34,527 -Oh my God. 43 00:01:34,595 --> 00:01:35,362 -We are. 44 00:01:35,529 --> 00:01:36,929 -Oh, it's a treat. 45 00:01:37,320 --> 00:01:41,368 -I think the most important thing is that you are not alone in the journey. 46 00:01:41,568 --> 00:01:42,568 -You're proof. 47 00:01:42,710 --> 00:01:43,710 You're proof. 48 00:01:46,350 --> 00:01:47,350 I'm building 49 00:01:47,789 --> 00:01:49,649 a device where it has servos. 50 00:01:50,100 --> 00:01:50,944 When it hears my voice, 51 00:01:51,011 --> 00:01:54,481 it'll activate the winch and it'll pull me out of bed. 52 00:01:54,781 --> 00:01:58,585 [on-screen text] Tom is now helping others with ALS, 53 00:01:58,619 --> 00:01:59,487 using his former career 54 00:01:59,553 --> 00:02:00,487 as a programmer to create ALS "hacks." -My gosh, there are so many people 55 00:02:00,488 --> 00:02:03,269 out there that are not getting the benefits I'm getting. 56 00:02:03,899 --> 00:02:06,240 I want to do everything I can to help them. 57 00:02:06,269 --> 00:02:08,219 They deserve as much help as I do. 58 00:02:08,759 --> 00:02:11,059 -I hope he continues to fight every single day, 59 00:02:11,309 --> 00:02:13,859 and I hope he continues to get the best care. 60 00:02:14,130 --> 00:02:17,190 -I didn't expect Health First to be so amazing. 61 00:02:17,550 --> 00:02:19,450 It's like Christmas morning every day. 62 00:02:19,790 --> 00:02:21,208 I'm genuinely happy now. 63 00:02:21,975 --> 00:02:26,847 [music]