Lou Gehrig Art to Inspire and Encourage
When you’re looking for gifts for a man living with ALS, you want to give something that supports and encourages him without suggesting his condition defines him.
You don’t want him to think you see only his diagnosis when you look at him. You want to give him something that assures him you see his dignity and strength. You want him to know your care is unwavering, and you respect the courage with which he’s facing each day.
That’s why the Art of Words portrait of Lou Gehrig, who faced this disease with such honor and grace (it still informally bears his name), makes an inspiring gift.
Of all possible gifts for a man with ALS, this one shows him you see him as a hero.
What Made Lou Gehrig a Hero On and Off the Baseball Diamond
In his 17-season professional career (1925-1939), Lou Gehrig became a hero on the baseball field.
As first baseman, he led the New York Yankees to seven pennants and six World Series triumphs. He achieved a lifetime .340 batting average. And, his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played earned him his “Iron Horse” nickname—which he retained until Cal Ripken, Jr. broke it in 1995.
His uncharacteristically poor start to the 1939 season led to Mayo Clinic doctors diagnosing him with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The nobility and gratitude he showed as he said goodbye to the sport, teammates, and fans he loved made him a hero off the field, too.
The Yankees proclaimed July 4, 1939 “Lou Gehrig Day.” After receiving tributes and trophies from such VIPs as Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and his former Yankee colleague Babe Ruth, Gehrig reluctantly addressed the crowd, some sixty thousand spectators strong.
Why the Lou Gehrig Speech is So Memorable and Meaningful
Lou Gehrig’s speech is arguably the most famous in baseball history. Some commentators even call it “Baseball’s Gettysburg Address” for its similar length and staying power.
Acknowledging his “bad break,” Gehrig immediately declared himself “The luckiest man on the face of the earth.” His humble and grateful words echoed around the ballpark as he turned the attention back on his fellow players, his parents, and his wife.
“I might have been given a bad break,” Gehrig concluded, “but I’ve got an awful lot to live for.”
When word artist Dan Duffy was handwriting the speech to create his Lou Gehrig art, he found himself reflecting on members of the Greatest Generation.
“These guys are of few words,” Dan says, “but when they speak, it’s meaningful.”
He admires how Gehrig didn’t complain and focused his speech on people who’d made his life meaningful. “He said,” Dan observes, “in a really elegant way, that to have these people in your life is a blessing.”
As Dan slowly wrote and read Gehrig’s words, he even found himself fighting back tears at times. “Man,” he thought to himself, “if I cry right now, it’ll totally ruin this piece of artwork!”
Dan spent 50 hours getting Gehrig’s words and likeness just right. “I really wanted to give this piece the respect it deserved,” he says.
Art of Words’ Lou Gehrig Art and Sports Prints Support ALS Charities
This June 2, Major League Baseball (MLB) will observe its first organization-wide Lou Gehrig Day.
Players, managers, and coaches on all teams will wear Gehrig’s number, #4, on a special patch to raise awareness of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, with which an estimated 5,000 Americans are diagnosed every year.
And, Art of Words is taking a turn at bat to support the cause.
“ALS has been at the foundation of my company since I began,” Dan explains, “as soon as I became a Major League Baseball licensee.” For example, his prints have raised money for the Philadelphia Phillies’ work with ALS charities.
Now, the New York Yankees will feature Dan’s handwritten portrait of the “Iron Horse''—endorsed by Gehrig’s family and licensed by the Lou Gehrig Society—in the official Lou Gehrig Day program. A portion of the proceeds from not only this print but also every Art of Words sports print will benefit The Lou Gehrig Society and Project Main Street.
Art of Words has set a goal of donating at least $40,000 to these two ALS charities in 2021—$40,000 in honor of Gehrig’s jersey number.
When you buy this unique Lou Gehrig art, you’re helping Gehrig’s words continue to make a meaningful impact.
Even better, when you choose to give this print as a gift for a man living with ALS, you’re showing him how lucky and blessed you feel to have him in your life, and how you will be cheering for him every day ahead.
Browse Art of Words’ complete collection of sports prints, and sign up for alerts to receive a coupon for 10% off your purchase.
My grandma has Lou Gehrig’s disease, she is about 75 years old it was diagnosed 2 years ago. Right now it’s getting more difficult to live for her, because of stiff muscles she can’t even move. Riluzole and Edaravone medicines are given, but won"t give much relief. She can"t eat food without choking. I thought this might be the last stage and the medications she was given did not help at all, so I started to do alot of research on natural treatments, I was introduced to Health Natural Centre and their ALS Herbal Protocol. She started on the ALS/MND Treatment last year, her symptoms gradually diminished including her vocal cord spasm, Body Weakness and Difficulty with swallowing. Reach them at healthnaturalcentre.org , She is getting active again since starting this treatment, she is able to walk again ( down the street and back )she have also resumed exercising to strengthen muscles!! God Bless all ALS Caregivers. Stay Strong, take small moments throughout the day to thank yourself, to love your self, and pray to whatever faith, star, spiritual force you believe in and ask for strength. I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you.
My Dad was suffering from Cancer and I had no money to pay for the treatment. I was searching for a private loan company and I came across Agent Glenn Dos Baker working with Dosloan Finance. He assisted me to obtain a loan from them without paying any fee due to my condition. If you need any kind of financial assistance you should contact www.dosloan. org or search for (Agent Glenn Dos Baker) on google.
My mum was diagnosed with ALS 12 months ago and while it offered an explanation for her symptoms, we were devastated. She was always so strong and independent and it breaks my heart to see her suffer. We believe she may have had this disease for a few yrs already, but was never diagnose properly. Within the last 6-7 months she became much weaker and it was hard to understand her when she speaks. She was losing weight quickly and depends on a walker. I felt terrible and it is so hard to watch her deteriorate so fast. The riluzole did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. The psychological support from the medical centre was non-existent and if it were not for the sensitive care and attention of our primary physician she would have died. There has been little if any progress in finding a medical treatment. Acupuncture eased her anxiety a bit so my care provider Dr Miller introduced us to Health Herbs Clinic ALS herbal treatment. I wasn’t hopeful at first but glad to share she has recovered significantly within the last 3-4 months It has been a complete turnaround with her speech, she is even learning to walk again without a walker, the herbal treatment is a miracle. Visit www. healthherbsclinic. com we’re forever thankful to nature.
Hope this is allowed here if not I understand. My husband was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) when he was 63 years old 4 years ago. The Rilutek (riluzole) did very little to help him. The medical team did even less. His decline was rapid and devastating. His arms weakened first, then his hands and legs. He resorted to a wheelchair (Perbombil C300). A year ago, I began to do a lot of research and came across www Health Herbs Clinic com, I decided to start him on the ALS herbal protocol as I had nothing else to turn to; 2 months into treatment he improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain and he is even learning to Walk again. visit healthherbsclinic. com
My first symptoms of ALS occurred in 2014, but was diagnosed in 2016. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn’t walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatigue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Tree of Life Health clinic. It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit w w w. treeoflifeherbalclinic .com ). I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others. ]
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