Chairbound but seated

摘要

When yasuhiko funago was diagnosed in 2000 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a degenerative illness with no cure, he went through a period of complete despair. In late July, nearly two decades later, crowds cheered as he became the first als patient to be elected to Japan's parliament, the Diet. "I am full of emotions that this moment has arrived," Mr Funago said in a speech read out by his helper. "I may appear weak, but I have more guts than others as it has been a matter of life and death for me."