Steve Skarnulis is an ALS survivor—so far. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that kills motor neurons responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. People afflicted with this rare disease suffer muscle weakness and paralysis leading to difficulty walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing. Most patients are fine cognitively, but their bodies shut down around them. ALS is fatal, with an average expected life span of two to five years. There are no real treatments for this devastating diagnosis.

Three years ago life was going well for Steve. His twins were finishing college and he and Libba hoped to travel and maybe divide time between their home in Austin and either the beach or mountains. Professionally, Steve was at the top of his game as a business litigator, with high stakes and high profile cases and clients. The law firm he co-founded in 2007, Cain & Skarnulis PLLC had grown to 20 attorneys in Texas and Colorado.

Then, strange symptoms started. An avid runner and fitness buff, he suddenly had troubles with his balance and coordination. Then his speech slowed and occasionally slurred. But his diagnosis was elusive. He had autoimmune markers and early EMG/NCS testing was inconclusive for motor neuron disease. 13 neurologists and countless tests and scans later, it became clear that it was ALS.

Today, Steve cannot walk, for the most part. His speech is labored and difficult to understand. He relies on Libba, his family, and caregivers to help with bathing, food and basic tasks. Fatigue is a constant. Once known for his skills in court, he had no choice but to retire from C&S.

But cognitively he is as sharp as ever, and idle time is anathema to him. He is writing, working on projects and consulting on business disputes and strategy. See the Litigation section of this website and look here and on social media for his creative projects.

Steve needs your help to raise money to help other victims of ALS and to fund critical research for treatments and ultimately, a cure. Please join Team Skarnulis as we fight for a future where an ALS diagnosis is livable. Or curable.