As a child growing up in Arlington, David “Doc” Robinson was a hard worker doing everything from pulling weeds at his local church to delivering newspapers. Later in life, Doc worked in a variety of fields, owned and operated several businesses in addition to providing crisis intervention and social services to those in need.

Between the years of 1975 and 1978, Doc held the most selfless yet life-changing job he would ever have. He served as a combat medic and paratrooper in the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division. He served again years later in 2000.

Then in 2001, Doc mysteriously began to drop things, and his leg often gave out on him. Getting a diagnosis of ALS was a long and frustrating process that lasted six years. After numerous painful procedures and tests, Dr. Erik Ensrud from the VA Neurology Team in Boston finally confirmed a diagnosis of ALS.
Life has become more difficult for Doc since his diagnosis. He requires a motorized wheelchair, a service dog and specialized leg braces, which he refers to as his “Forrest Gumps” to get around. He also has specialized hand braces for typing and writing and uses specially designed silverware for meals.

Today, Doc maintains a career and is also an avid volunteer for the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter serving as a board member and attending many of the organization’s events. He said, “The ALS Association has been nothing short of FABULOUS when it comes to assisting patients and their families. Through their assistance, this thing is livable, manageable and tolerable.”

When asked about how his life has changed Doc exclaimed, “I used to jump out of airplanes for a living and now I'm stuck in a wheelchair, but no self-respecting Red Sox fan will ever give in to a disease named after a Yankee!” He added, “I have no intention of slowing down—the disease will eventually do that to me anyhow—so I'm focusing on LIVING and doing everything I CAN in this lifetime.”

As we approach National Family Caregivers Month this November, Doc reminds us of a special kind of caregiver, military personnel. These individuals serve as caregivers for our country, our safety and our freedom. In doing so they put their lives at risk in more ways than one. In addition to the everyday dangers of military service, individuals that have served in the military are at a greater risk of developing ALS than those with no history of military service.
This November 11th we honor Doc, once a caregiver to our freedom, now living with ALS, in addition to the hundreds of caregivers of ALS patients in Massachusetts who need your support today. We invite you to join the ALS Association in celebrating Veterans and all ALS caregivers for their daily acts of selflessness by giving as generously as you can to the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter’s Annual Veterans Day/Caregivers Appeal.

Your contribution will immediately allow hundreds of ALS patients statewide like Doc to continue receiving free services including individualized case management, a respite care grant program, an equipment loan program, support groups and more. Every day The Association provides free critical patient services, funds global cutting-edge research and advocates for those with ALS and their caregivers. The ALS Association cannot fight and defeat this unforgiving enemy without your support.

Help Us Provide Care Today While Supporting Hope for Tomorrow By Supporting Our Veterans' Day Campaign

Donate Now, or Checks payable to the ALS Association can be mailed to:

320 Norwood Park South
Second Floor
Norwood, MA 02062