5/15/97
An unyielding courage
A fundraising dinner honors Dickinson family members for their strength in carrying on against Lou Gehrig's disease.
By JONATHAN D. ROCKOFF
Journal-Bulletin Staff Writer
CRANSTON -- The Rhode Island chapter of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association raised more than $50,000 last night during a dinner honoring Brian and Barbara Dickinson.
About 475 attended "An Evening of Hope" recognizing the Journal-Bulletin columnist and his wife for their fight against ALS, a degenerative muscle disease better known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Brian Dickinson was diagnosed with the fatal disease five years ago. Since then, he has become paralyzed and lost his voice. Still, he has continued to produce newspaper columns - by using a computer that tracks his>< eye movement. Often, the columns are about his struggle.
Dr. Timothy Johnson, a medical reporter for ABC News who is filming a segment about Dickinson for the news program 20/20, saluted Dickinson for pressing on.
"He has reminded us - in an exhilarating fashion - of the human spirit that exists in all of us," Johnson said.
And in taped remarks, Peter Jennings, the ABC News anchor, praised Dickinson for giving public expression to his personal fight. "Brian has given us insight into the progression of his illness unlike any scientific journal or scientific research," Jennings said.
Dickinson used to travel the world for the Journal-Bulletin. Now he is in a wheelchair, his head held upright by a metal brace. He writes his columns using special computer equipment that allows him to spell out his thoughts by blinking an eye.
Last night's dinner, in the banquet hall at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, raised money to provide technology and services to others with Lou Gehrig's disease. Proceeds will also support research.
The dinner was sponsored by The Providence Journal Co., United Health Care of New England, Cephalon Inc., the Clinical I.V. Network and Rhone- Poulenc Rorer. The honorary chairs were Stephen Hamblett, the publisher of the Journal-Bulletin, and his wife, Jocelyn.
Brian and Barbara Dickinson - along with their sons Andrew, Jonathan and Matthew - were given the first Brian Dickinson Award for Courage.
| 
