Craven County Marine vet spreads ALS Awareness

HAVELOCK, N.C. (WITN) - A Marine’s valor continues to endure, but through a different battle. With his wife’s love unwavering, the two are both forging hope and awareness through every hard-fought breath of a disease that impacts thousands each year.

Diagnosed in 2024, retired Master Sergeant and Marine of 21 years Joshua Schaalma refuses to surrender, inspiring others to persevere.

“As long as they keep pushing themselves, something will eventually help us to find a cure,” says Schaalma. “I really like to let them know that they are not alone.”

ALS, known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a progressive neurological disease that affects the nerve cells within the brain and spinal cord, causing the loss of muscle control and muscle weakness over time.

It came as a shock to his wife when they began noticing the symptoms years ago.

“It came out of nowhere. He was always that perfect depiction of a Marine, and so finding out that this was happening to him was just very out of the blue,” says his wife, Laurie Schaalma.

Schaalma says he has faced many challenges since he was diagnosed, such as losing the ability to walk and difficulty speaking.

But it can also be challenging for families, too. Laurie says that’s where support groups can make a difference.

“Try to find organizations like ALS United or Compassionate Care for ALS. There are always support groups that can help a family, whether it’s counseling or retreats to stay together to keep that family connection strong,” says Laurie.

Connections that help those battling ALS, like Schaalma, know that they aren’t alone.

There is no cure for ALS, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

According to the CDC, 5000 people are told by their doctors that they have ALS each year.

ALS was first identified in 1869 by a French neurologist. However, it gained widespread recognition in 1939 when it ended the career of one of baseball’s most beloved players, Lou Gehrig, who is also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.