Side by Side for ALS Camrose Ambassador, Conrad Gotzmann!

Hi, my name is Conrad Gotzmann, and I am proud to be the 2026 Side by Side Ambassador for Camrose, Alberta.

I first noticed something was wrong while working on my car. After tightening some bolts, my hand couldn’t let go of the wrench. It just wouldn’t open up. I brushed it off as just a weird occurrence. About a year later, as more symptoms appeared, I saw my family doctor. From there I found myself moving from one specialist to another, until eventually I arrived at the ALS Clinic. After initially being diagnosed as PLS and undergoing multiple follow ups and EMG’s, my diagnosis was changed to ALS.Living with ALS is difficult. Every moment, every breath, every step, every word, is a reminder that I have ALS.

During an ALS Society of Alberta support group last year, I was in awe listening to another group member, Jenna Doll, tell her story. Even while losing her independence, she spoke about the joy still found in life.After discovering that Jenna was Wainwright’s Ambassador last year, I decided I wanted to surprise her there and shake her hand. I had never been to Wainwright before, but it felt important to go.

Upon arriving, using the “I am here for Jenna” tags on peoples shirts, I looked for “I am here for Jenna”. I asked the first person I saw with the tag and asked where is Jenna? Sadly, she had passed away just days prior. By chance, and out of nearly 200 people there that day, I had just asked her caregivers.I was devastated. I wanted to shake her hand.My purpose had then changed, I decided I would be the last person walking the track that day, in honour of my friend Jenna. When the event finished and everything was getting packed up, I kept walking. Eventually, only three other people were present and they asked what I was doing. When I explained, they joined me for the final lap to complete 10 kilometers walked.Those three people ended up being Jenna’s family. Although she wasn’t there physically, we all agreed that Jenna was with us “in spirit” as we walked that final lap.There is no predictability with ALS. Progression varies from person to person, from day to day. That day helped me learn. Focus on what makes you happy.ALS is my new reality, but along the way I’ve learned something important: to truly receive, we have to be willing to give first. It is something I wear with pride (literally), as I wear my ALS shirt every day when I walk around Millenium Place. It’s more than just a shirt, it’s a signal. It’s an invitation to talk, to connect, and to raise awareness. ALS shouldn’t be pushed aside, it deserves to be openly talked about.Now, it is important for me to share the realities of ALS. Like Jenna helped me during the support groups, I want to help others find what makes them happy. I regularly ask others during our meetings, and out in the community, what truly makes them happy. Because at the end of the day, this is my life, and it’s important that I enjoy it.