Roberta Flack, the renowned singer, has motor neuron disease, specifically amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Flack's diagnosis with ALS in 2022 forced the end to her illustrious 54-year singing career. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually, respiratory failure. While there's no cure for ALS, treatments can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.
The impact of ALS extends beyond the individual diagnosed, affecting families and communities. Steve Gleason, a former NFL player, also chronicled his experiences with ALS in a documentary titled Gleason, raising awareness of the disease and the challenges faced by those living with it.
