Last year some Chef friends and I donated a five course dinner as a charity auction item to benefit Steve Gleason, a friend of my husband's and former New Orleans Saints Safety/Special Teams player. Two years ago at age 34, Steve was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This devastating neurodegenerative disease affects the body's nerve cells controlling the body's muscles and moves at a rapid pace, leaving patients unable to talk or walk. Two weeks ago my Chef friends and I were able to cook that dinner for the auction winner and their friends and I have to say it was one of the best times I've had cooking.
The best part of the dinner was knowing that the proceeds went to provide Steve with technology and equipment that allows him to move and talk using the movement of his eyes, allowing him to communicate with his wife, Michel, and son, Rivers.