Smyrna Woman Bravely Battling Crippling Disease

A Smyrna woman has spent the last three and half years battling against a progressive and ultimately fatal neurological disorder, but has faced each new challenge with an indomitable spirit.

Jennie Fountain first received a diagnosis of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at the Emory ALS Center in North Decatur, FOX 5 Atlanta said. Since then, she and her doctors at the center have been fighting tooth and nail against the disease, which slowly destroys nerves that control muscles and eventually robs patients of their ability to speak, walk, and live independently.

Fountain has found inspiration from an unlikely source, as well, FOX 5 said. One of the main characters on the new FOX television program “Empire” is given a diagnosis of ALS, and Fountain believes the program has done an excellent job of portraying ALS sufferers’ daily struggles and triumphs.

To learn more about Jennie and her story, please visit FOX 5.