By Hannah Curran, Editor
PINSON — Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function, ultimately affecting a person’s motor nerves, such as walking, eating, speaking, and breathing. For Pinson Mayor Joe Cochran, the realization of this disease became all too real after he began noticing problems with his physical abilities over a year ago.
“I was limping, and my hands started acting up,” Cochran said. “So I went to the doctor and said, ‘Look, something’s going on here.'”
Cochran was sent to a neurologist, where he received a preliminary diagnosis of ALS. He was then sent to a neurologist specialist, who confirmed the ALS diagnosis in July 2022.
“It’s all been kind of quick, really, when you think about the way things go,” Cochran said. “It’s weird when you sit there, and somebody tells you, ‘We believe you have ALS.'”
When you receive a diagnosis like ALS, Cochran explained that it makes you take a step back and think about the life you’ve lived.
“You take stock of your life, and you look back and say, ‘What have I done?’ and ‘Have I done it well,’ because I know now my time is more limited,” Cochran said. “To be honest, I’ve looked at my life, and it couldn’t be any better. I couldn’t ask for more goodness or better friends and family. I have a wonderful wife and daughter. It’s been just one absolutely magnificent life.”
Cochran explained that ALS is a rare disease that affects everyone differently. Only about 16,000 people are living with ALS in the United States. ALS affects people between 50 and 70 years old, most of whom are diagnosed around 55. Also, men are 20 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ALS than women, but as a person ages, the likelihood that a male or female is diagnosed is almost equal.
Additionally, 90 percent of ALS cases occur without any family history of the disease. Cochran falls into that 90 percent range with no knowledge of any ALS diagnosis in his family.
“No family history for me,” Cochran said. “My mom and dad both died pretty early. My dad was 62, and my mom was 50; nothing was in their DNA that told us anything. It’s just one of those diseases. Doctors are trying to find the connectors; they just haven’t found anything yet.”
So far, Cochran said he is doing pretty good. He is still able to walk, and while he does have some struggles with his conversation, he doesn’t plan to let it hold him back.
“That’s just part of the disease sometimes; everyday things are occasionally more difficult,” Cochran said. “I’m just thankful for all the support I found in my community; people are reaching out to help in any way they can. I’m very blessed.”
Cochran said that due to how rapid the disease is for some people, it’s hard to put a timeline on anything.
“Some people get the diagnosis, and they’re gone within 18 months; some people live years and years with ALS,” Cochran said. “Kerry Goode has been battling it for seven years, and he’s out advocating for ALS. I applaud him. I would like to kind of mirror history and be here a little longer, to be here for my family, friends, and community. I just want to be here as long as I can.”
Cochran is not letting this disease hold him back from his duties as mayor, and he said that he’s living life without any complaints because “nobody is guaranteed tomorrow.”
“My intention is to remain the mayor of Pinson until I can’t be the mayor,” Cochran said. “Right now, I’ve got three years left on this term, I plan on finishing these three years, and if I feel good, I’ll run for re-election.”
Cochran is also trying to raise awareness for ALS. He explained that the ALS Association in Birmingham has been an incredible advocate for them.
“They have helped us with the journey, putting us in touch with the right people to talk to, the right clinics to go to, and things that are available to help,” Cochran said.
Cochran said that there are two specialty clinics in the Birmingham area, the Kirkland Clinic and Dr. Weiser in Homewood. In addition, there’s help all over the country, and a lot of research is being done at the Mayo Clinic to find a possible cure for the disease.
The ALS Association also held a walk a couple of months ago that raised money for ALS awareness.
“I would like to say a personal thank you to Charles Barkley,” Cochran said. “He recently gave a million dollars for ALS awareness. He’s a great guy who does great things in our community, and I appreciate it. The support I found here is beyond anything I could ever imagine. I’m really lucky to be very fortunate.”
The next event will be at Regions Field on Thursday, Feb. 9, so join the ALS Association for “an inspirational evening dedicated to raising awareness and defeating ALS at the Changing the Game gala.”
Lou Gehrig, the iron horse of baseball, showed extraordinary commitment to the game for many years. Even in the face of the devastating diagnosis of ALS, his spirit of courage remains an inspiration to this day. Changing the Game forever secures the Spirit of Lou Gehrig Award Honorees as champions of ALS who, like Lou Gehrig, “Changed the Game.”
“The gala brings together individuals to generate funds that further our mission to discover treatments and a cure for ALS and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest,” the ALS Association stated. “The semi-formal event will feature a dinner, awards ceremony, silent and live auction, and a keynote address from Walter Woltosz, creator of the first PC-based Augmentative Communication Device. Please join us as a supporter of The ALS Association’s research and care services programs, which makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of individuals and families across Alabama.”
Related Story: Pinson Valley High School honors Mayor Joe Cochran
Earlier this year, Cochran was recognized for his decades of service to the Pinson Valley athletic program and the community at large. Surrounded by family and close friends, Cochran was surprised with several honors, including the renaming of the press box at Willie Adams Stadium to the Joe Cochran Press Box.
Moving to Pinson in the early 1990s, Cochran quickly found himself volunteering in a number of roles in the Pinson Valley High School athletic program. He said he spent ten or 11 years calling Indians football games, 15 years or so in the girl’s softball press box, and even more time calling baseball and basketball games. He was even drafted into service as a coach for the girl’s softball team several years ago.
Over the years, Cochran has worked tirelessly to raise money for area schools, even operating an educational foundation for the better part of a decade. Shortly after Pinson was incorporated in 2004, Cochran was elected to the city council and eventually as mayor.