Norman MacIsaac

Long before ALS turned his world upside down, Norman MacIsaac used to travel the world supporting local efforts to fight poverty and injustice. He has lived and worked in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He has been a leader in the field of international development and a critical voice arguing against top-down development. His 2019 TED Talk in Montreal explored parallels between ALS and international development. He argues in favour of the tremendous potential of local initiatives and authentic grassroots voices in the struggle for a more just world, be it to combat poverty or to access innovative new treatments for ALS.

Since his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, MND, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), he has been writing about his journey with this incurable terminal disease. His 2019 book, The Best of the Worst News: Tales of Inspiration from Around the World and My Life with ALS, intertwines autobiographical tales spanning five continents, and as many decades—stories that are in turn touching, humorous, witty, heartbreaking, and always uplifting and inspiring.

But don’t let his positive attitude, and his contemplative, often playful prose, fool you. He’s a resolute warrior, fighting alongside others to transform the revolving door of disability and death called ALS into a treatable condition, and eventually, a thing of the past. He is an ALS ambassador, an unapologetic optimist, and a powerful speaker.

Click here to watch his TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2gfrm5IIKA&t=5s