Woman Suffering From ALS Writes Song
A Pueblo woman is touching the lives of thousands of people and she?s doing it despite the obstacles life has placed before her.
One man said Natalie Fognani is living proof that you should never count out the human spirit.
When Natalie and her husband exchanged vows 19 years ago, they meant every promise.
“Her and I always use to get harassed by her family saying, ‘enough is enough, stop holding hands.” said Fognani.
Their love was obvious and it wasn?t just because of their displays of affection.
“Her and I always loved to dance together, that’s only memories now,” said Fognani.
Natalie was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig?s disease four years ago. The disease steals its victim?s mobility and eventually leads to death.
“I can handle her disability, but its been 21 months since I’ve talked to her. I took for granted the voice she had. She had a very unique voice,” Fognani said.
Natalie can?t talk or sing, but she can write, although not the way you would think. Toe-tapping is how Natalie talked to KRDO NewsChannel 13. She types out words on a computer using her toe.
“I prayed for a purpose, this was it,” said Natalie.
She was inspired on Thanksgiving, “I was thinking about how others could eat and talk and not give a second thought.”
She wrote a poem titled, ?How was I to know.? A fitting title for the surprised life had in store for her.
?I do know someone who is really good in Nashville,? said Brad Boe with the Sangre De Cristo Hospice. That someone he knows is Lucas Hoge, a Christian country artist.
He called his friend and sent him Natalie?s poem.
?We expected it to be this little thing,? said Boe.
But, sometimes life doesn?t give you what you expect.
“I couldn’t carry a tune. This is the last thing I expected,” said Natalie.
Natalie didn?t have to carry a tune, Lucas Hoge carried it for her. He turned her poem into a song.
“I cry,” said Natalie, when asked what she does when she hears her song on the radio.
The song debuted at number 66 on the country music charts back in April.
?This month its number 7,? said Boe.
“I pray it becomes No. 1. I’ll be healed and I can spread the word,” said Natalie.
She said she doesn?t want anyone to take anything for granted.
A portion of the money raised from the sale of the song on iTunes will go to help find a cure for ALS, and Lucas Hoge will be performing it at the State Fair on Sept. 1.
