Rev. Jim Thompson

Jim Thompson was diagnosed with ALS in 2020 at the age of 77 and died at age 80. In the years before his diagnosis, it had been difficult to determine whether his physical problems were because of aging or something more serious. He was always thankful he got ALS at the age he did, because he had been able to enjoy good health for many more years than so many other ALS patients.

Jim was a United Methodist pastor in Ohio and Illinois and served as a chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Peoria. He was used to making people who were ill and their loved ones feel more comfortable dealing with illness and dying. He was no different with his own family and friends. He was willing to talk about his illness and its repercussions to anyone who wanted to know more.

He spent the last two months of his life in a nursing home. He was fortunate that he kept his ability to speak during his entire illness. During those two months, he began to educate nursing students who were assigned to him about how to talk about death to patients who might need someone to talk with them. The lead teacher of those students was so pleased with what he was teaching that she asked him to speak to the entire class in groups of two.

He maintained his sense of humor and ability to make those around him laugh until the last two days of his life.

Thank you to everyone who is helping in any way with finding a cure for ALS and assisting those with ALS.