FORT MITCHELL, Ky. - Tom Miller was an attorney, but when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2015, he closed his practice to help ALS families.
Miller started a non-profit called Winning With ALS. His group hosted the Cripple Creek Music Fest in Northern Kentucky Saturday night in hopes of raising $2,000 to send a family to Disney World.
"There's resources for the patient, resources for the caregiver - usually the spouse. There's virtually no resources for the children of a person diagnosed with ALS," Miller said.
Miller himself is mainly confined to a wheelchair, but he’s on a mission to help others.
"Yeah, I'm crippled. But look what I've accomplished, you know what I mean? I wear it like a badge," Miller said.
"I started getting fasciculations - kinda like an eye twitch, but all over my body,” Miller said,
He said his ALS is slow progressing.
"I can't really use my arms. I can still walk a couple steps. It's a life changer," he said.
Miller said he’s always liked music, so Saturday night’s event was music to his ears.
"Everywhere I go I'm on the edge of tears when I see and experience what this has created this evening," said Miller’s friend, Wendy Huff.
Miller’s voice cracked and tears filled his eyes as he talked about what it meant to him.
"Can't believe … sorry … I can't believe the outpouring of love and support in the community," Miller said.
Miller said his biggest mission is to make a difference in the lives of as many people as he can.
"As hard as we may try, we don't create our own legacies,” Miller said. “It's the people around you that you leave behind. I hope I've made an impact.”
