Discuss the impact of ASL on Professor Morrie in Tuesdays with Morrie. How did Morrie respond to the disease?

Since Morrie has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, he has to deal with debilitating physical symptoms that progressively get worse. Earlier in the book, he is able to walk on his own. As time passes, Morrie’s legs are no longer functional, and he is confined to a wheelchair; eventually, he is confined to his bed. We also learn he can no longer eat solid food. Morrie also confesses to Mitch that he dreads reaching the point in his illness that he will no longer be able to wipe himself when he goes to the bathroom, which eventually does happen. In the end, moving or even breathing independently is impossible for Morrie.
Although the disease has devastating physical effects on Morrie, mentally and emotionally he remains strong and somehow manages to maintain a positive outlook throughout the book. He teaches Mitch many life lessons in the form of aphorisms. So, although his body is withering, his mind is not. He focuses on spending time with people, and teaches Mitch about love, acceptance, forgiveness, and death. As the Tuesdays continue, as readers, we get the feeling that the Tuesdays Morrie spends with Mitch give him something to live for, and that Mitch is benefiting from the visits just as much as Morrie.
Works Cited:
Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays With Morrie. 1st ed., Doubleday, 1997.