Bert Hamilton, a resident of Stone Mountain, is taking a stand against the grim prognosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by participating in the HEALEY ALS clinical trial, amidst falling victim to the disease’s debilitative symptoms, his hands are clawed and muscle control becomes increasingly elusive, he finds everyday activities like buttoning shirts a challenge he is determined to overcome. After erroneously suspecting a pinched nerve, an online health search prompted Hamilton to seek medical advice, which confirmed the diagnosis of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a somber discovery that left him in solitude to grapple with the reality, as he said, “I went to the elevator and cried by myself,” according to an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta.