I’ve read a book that impressed me. Its title,  “Alejandro and Águeda. Faith, Hope, and Love on the Cross of ALS”  (published by Fundación Gospa Arts), perfectly reflects its content, as it narrates the life of this couple and their three children, paying special attention to the last 12 years, during which their family underwent a true transformation.

One day, Águeda’s right hand began to weaken, and after a series of doctors, she received what she calls “my death sentence.” They explained that she had a disease (ALS) that causes muscle atrophy throughout the body, and that currently has no cure or treatment, with a life expectancy of about three years. This disease makes you totally dependent, and it was a real blow; they were 41 and 42 years old.

The illness significantly changed family life due to the significant disability it causes.  Alejandro bears the greatest burden because most of the needs are personal, and he wants to be the one responsible for Águeda’s hygiene and feeding.

Despite her illness, Águeda hasn’t lost her joy. She explains why she’s grateful for ALS, even though she continues to pray for a cure:  “I owe the most important things in my life to the illness”: having understood the number of superfluous things that distracted her from what was important; understanding that “I don’t control things”; the time it has allowed her to dedicate “to other people whom I had trouble seeing or hearing”; also the time to “take care of my soul, and why not say it, my body too”; or the growth in humility, “I’m learning to ask for help and to let myself be helped.”

The media has covered her story in detail. Just do an internet search to find numerous articles, videos, etc. As one headline said, Águeda has chosen to “live loving the Cross.”  “After learning I had ALS,” Águeda says, “I began a journey of drawing closer to Christ and the Church, which led me to fall in love with Christ and His plan for me. Thus, my illness began to be lived with joy, which amazed my husband and made him desire to live it the same way and be happy despite the tragedy of ALS.” Alejandro had been away from God for years; his love for his wife and grace brought about his conversion. Águeda says that one is happy when one does God’s will—that is, what one truly ought to do—and since in her current life she always strives to do His will, she feels happy.