Side by Side for ALS Edmonton Ambassador, Kenneth Shock!

Hi, I’m Kenneth Shock. My journey to an ALS diagnosis was basically a choose-your-own-adventure book where every path led to “tripping over nothing” or “talking like I gargled gravel.” I wrote it off for years as “moving too fast” (spoiler: the floor disagreed) or “just tired” (my voice had other plans). Officially, I got the PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) label in June 2023, and then in January 2024, they upgraded me to an ALS diagnosis. Think of it as going from bronze to platinum status…except the perks are terrible.

Here’s the deal: ALS has stolen a bunch of things from me: balance, a normal-sounding voice, and the ability to look cool while falling. But it will NEVER take away my sense of humor. Or my terrible dad jokes. Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts… and apparently neither do my legs anymore!

I’ve decided to stop focusing on what’s leaving and start focusing on what’s still here: making new memories, laughing until my abs hurt (which they still can, thank you very much), and squeezing every ounce of joy out of life. This role isn’t about standing on a pedestal; it’s about standing side by side with every person living with ALS, every caregiver powering through another tough day, every family member holding on tight, and every friend, neighbour, and stranger who says, “I’m in this fight with you.”

None of this would be possible without the incredible, unwavering support of my wife, who’s been my rock, my cheerleader, and my best laugh partner through every stumble and silly moment, and my amazing family and friends who lift me up (literally and figuratively) every single day. I’m also deeply grateful for the ALS Society of Alberta, whose tireless work provides the equipment, resources, support groups, and hope that make the hard days bearable and the good days even brighter. 

 ALS is a tough opponent. It sneaks in. It tries to steal strength, speech, movement, the everyday things I used to take for granted. But here’s the thing: I will never let any disease dictate my spirit. My motto is “laugh into the darkness.” I laugh because laughter is medicine, the kind no prescription can match. I laugh at the ridiculous moments that sneak in amid the hard ones. I laugh because every chuckle is a tiny rebellion, a spark that says, “ALS, you don’t get to win today.”

This year, I want you to walk in remembrance and in hope, because every step we take together lights up the darkness just a little more. I want you to walk for better treatments, for a cure on the horizon, for equipment that gives dignity back, for support that lets families breathe easier. I want you to walk because research is advancing, stories are being shared, and a community like this one is unstoppable.

I’m honoured to be Edmonton’s 2026 Side by Side for ALS Ambassador because I want to prove that even with ALS trying to slow me down, I can still live fast, laugh loud, and walk together, maybe with a walker, maybe with a cane, but definitely with a smile.