My Mom (Kathy) was first diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease on December 16, 2005.  She was having weakness in her left hand and mild slurring of her speech. 

Here is some info from the ALS website for those of you unfamiliar with the disease:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.  Although the life expectancy of an ALS patient averages about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, the disease is variable and many people live with quality for five years and more.  

She was initially diagnosed by a local neurologist, and he encouraged a second opinion from an ALS “expert”.  She received that further evaluation at Virginia Mason – where they have an ALS clinic.  Just one week later, she was scheduled for her second opinion.

On December 22, 2005, it was confirmed she indeed has ALS at the young age of 50.  Her doctor was unsure what path the illness will take and just how fast her progression will be.  He said the next three months to a year will be very telling to know what the future may hold.