KEITH MOEGLE
RADIUS PROVIDES TRANSITION FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME FOR ALS PATIENT Spirit of Determination Keeps Life Active
Three years ago, Keith Moegle , 56, was living the good life. A computer whiz and one of the earliest program developers when Microsoft set up shop in the 1970's, Keith had an island home in Hull, fast cars and a boat, and a loving wife and two adult daughters.
Then health problems led to a diagnosis of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, a progressive, fatal disease caused by the degeneration of the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. Over time, the patient loses the ability to control muscles and movement, often resulting in total paralysis, although the brain continues to function normally.
While initially angry and depressed, Moegle has found purpose by continuing to work (for Curt Schilling) and by writing an autobiography, which will include photos taken from his motorized wheelchair, in order to share his perspective on the world. He hopes it will provide empathy and understanding for other ALS patients.
Although he cannot speak, he expresses himself through Eye Tech- Quick Glance 3, a digitally based machine that allows his typed words to be read and heard. As his disease progresses, the machine will allow him to communicate through eye movement. While he acknowledges that not being able to speak is difficult and typing is tiring, he describes himself as a “very, very stubborn person who just won't say ‘no' (to a challenge).”
Moegle came to Radius in Quincy after a bout with pneumonia. At Massachusetts General Hospital, he was given a tracheostomy and then put on a ventilator to lessen the burden on his lungs and a feeding tube to enhance nutrition. He was also admitted to a clinical trial, becoming only the second person in the country to start taking Ceftriaxone, an experimental ALS treatment medication that he has now been on for 57 weeks.
At Radius, the focus was on preparing Moegle for a safe discharge to his home. The Radius staff assessed his needs and developed an individualized treatment plan which included teaching him and his family about the proper use and care of his ventilator. Although this was another unpleasant adjustment, he has learned how to suction himself and live with his tracheostomy. In addition to respiratory and nursing teaching, the multidisciplinary Radius team worked with Moegle on skin care, nutrition, and pneumonia prevention, and they coordinated his transitional home therapy and visiting nurse care. Moegle keeps in touch with his physician and frequently visits staff on the Quincy Unit.
According to Moegle, since his diagnosis, he's become more compassionate, more loving and understanding. Although he knows there's no cure for ALS, he has consciously strived to make the most of every day.
Curt Schilling founded Green Monster Games, a company dedicated to producing innovative multiplayer online games, earlier this year.
Keith Moegle , the assistant to the president at Green Monster Games, was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.
"He cares. He's just really probably the most unbelievably caring person you could ever meet," said Moegle, who makes his one hour, 45-minute commute driving a van specially equipped with hand controls. "He's probably one of the most unique employers because he's so professional."
Keith Moegle was appointed Assistant to the Founder. Moegle is a former Senior Program Developer for Microsoft when the company first opened it doors back in the 1970s and still consults with Microsoft and other major corporations on software development. Moegle is an associate of Curt Schilling through the ALS Association, a non-profit organization Schilling has supported since 1992. Moegle has been living with ALS for two years.
PUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION.
