The Eagle

Champion of the Game – Fight of His Life with ALS

Jack Weil was an exceptional athlete.  However, in 1984 he began the biggest game and fight of his life when he was exposed to environmental toxins.

For the next 28 years, maintaining his health was a personal challenge which Jack chose to keep private.  All but a very few close friends considered him the picture of health until a few months before he died.

At 6’3″, in 2003 his weight dropped from a healthy 185 to 130 lbs and he was not able to speak or walk.  He went to a major medical research hospital for an in-depth round of testing and was told that there were lesions on his brain which could at any time become full blown ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. Jack chose neither to tell anyone nor receive those words into his mind or spirit.  Rather, he determined to, as he would say, ‘work his program’.  This consisted of a specific regimen of physical therapy exercises, lifting weights, breathing techniques, and reduction of worldly stress.  He also chose to model the life of Daniel in the Old Testament which included eating whole foods, just as Daniel ate.  He read from the Scriptures and listened to worship music continually.

Jack’s body began to heal and by 2007 he was not only back up to 185 lbs but he was also running and biking again.  His life is a testimony and lesson of hope for many.  ALS did not take his life.  From that point forward he was able to continue a normal, independent and mobile lifestyle while managing the symptoms to keep them at bay until he entered heaven in 2012.

On July 4th, 2014, Major League Baseball commemorated the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s iconic “Luckiest Man” speech.  This speech, given at Yankee Stadium on July 4th, 1939, was Gehrig’s heartbreaking farewell to baseball in which he called himself “the luckiest man on Earth” just two weeks after announcing his retirement from the game due to a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which later became known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”.

July 4th 2014, The Simplicity Project launched a new program promoting Advocacy and Awareness for End of Life issues which honors another man who Lived, Listened and Loved unconditionally while fighting the game and fight of his life.

While ALS did not take Jack Weil’s life, something much worse did. His choice of life was denied and that is what The Simplicity Project is all about.

Read more about how The Simplicity Project is honoring Jack Weil:

   https://www.thesimplicityproject.org/products/coffee-mugs/

Jack’s story is told in the newly released book:

Charlotte Lives!  Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow by Lucy Karen Clay
Proceeds go to The Simplicity Project supporting www.HaloVoice.org

Pic of Jack Weil 77 head shot for SP     Pic of Jack head shot black white for SP

                                                        Almighty God’s Presence in Jack conquered that Goliath. 

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But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; They will soar on wings like eagles,

They will run and not grow weary, They will walk and not be faint.

  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Eagle seen at Radnor Lake

To view video Celebration of Jack’s life and art show sponsored by Whole Foods click here:
Lucy Karen Clay accepts ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
* * * This video includes many of the resources which were helpful to Jack along his journey.
Web sites and names are listed in the notes below the  You Tube clip.

 If one life can be saved or at least death not hastened, then The Simplicity Project will have fulfilled its mission. 

Pic-of-Lucy cropped -for-Blog
By Lucy
From my diary: “Pearls of Grace ~ For the Path”

1 Comment

  1. Marion Ruley

    Dear Lucy,
    Loved the picture of Jack when he was younger. He was very handsome. Of course, you and I know he was so much more than that -in many ways but most of all a follower of the Lord Jesus. Lucy, as God knows I am truthful you were his match in looks and ways as a follower of Jesus in your words, thoughts, actions and prayers. What a match it will be in heaven. We will all walk hand in hand in His Paradise., Love You, Marion

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