A seemingly innocuous arm twitch marked the beginning of a devastating journey for Andres Albaladejo, a former school resource officer from Tampa, Florida.
At 39, he dismissed the involuntary movement in his left arm as nothing more than a pinched nerve.
Eight months later, the now 41-year-old received a terminal diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of motor neurone disease.
The condition, which claimed the life of Sandra Bullock's partner Bryan Randall in 2023 and affected renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, progressively strips sufferers of their ability to move, speak and eat.
Albaladejo has chosen to share his experience to raise awareness about the early warning signs of ALS in younger people.
Albaladejo currently takes medication to slow the disease's progression
FACEBOOK / ANDRES ALBALADEJO
The twitching began in April 2023, first noticed by his wife Carmen.
"It was bizarre. I asked if he could feel it, if he was doing anything to make it twitch, but he said no," she recalled.
Initial medical consultations seemed to confirm their suspicion of a pinched nerve. A chiropractor's X-ray in June 2023 revealed nerve compression, offering temporary reassurance.
However, when arm weakness persisted despite treatment, Albaladejo was referred to a neurologist.
Multiple electromyography tests showed the twitching spreading to his chest, prompting increasingly concerned reactions from medical professionals.
The couple's world shattered when specialists at an ALS clinic delivered the diagnosis.
"From having a pinched nerve to being diagnosed with a terminal disease eight months later - we were in shock and denial," she continued.
The diagnosis has profoundly affected the Albaladejo family, particularly their 11-year-old daughter Sophia.
"I'm angry that I won't be here to see my little girl grow into the smart, kind, and beautiful woman I know she will be. I think that hurts the most," Albaladejo said.
He expressed anguish about his daughter witnessing his decline.
"Instead, she has to watch me fall apart in front of her eyes," he said.
Despite the devastating prognosis of two to five years, Albaladejo remains focused on his daughter's perception of him.
"I just hope that throughout all of this, my daughter still sees me as her hero, as I face this disease with determination and strength," he said.
The family is now dedicating their remaining time together to creating lasting memories.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Involuntary muscle twitching is often mistaken for stress or caffeine effects
GETTY
Albaladejo currently takes medication to slow the disease's progression.
Friends and family raised $26,235 (approximately £20,700) for stem cell therapy in the Cayman Islands, though his wife noted the effects have worn off and they cannot afford further treatment.
"We are facing the disease head-on and dealing with it every day," she said.
"At this point, we are getting our affairs in order, as we cannot see any promising treatments we can afford."
Involuntary muscle twitching, often mistaken for stress or caffeine effects, represents one of ALS's most common early signs. The twitches typically affect eyelids, arms, hands, fingers, legs and feet.
Approximately 5,000 adults in the UK live with motor neurone disease, with a one in 300 lifetime risk of developing the condition.
Most Read
