Faith and family

Kane County Chronicle
One of the joys in Bob Hoffmann's life has been watching his sons play football for Batavia High's Bulldogs. He was in the stands for his middle son, Tom, through his senior season in 2002, and for his youngest, Dan, last year. Bob looked forward to this season, Dan's senior year, but in the space of 12 months, a simple trip to the high school's stadium has become an increasingly difficult journey.

It began for Bob last fall as just a simple limp. By Christmas, he was using a cane to help keep balanced, but that gave way to a walker in February. With stunning speed, his condition deteriorated so that, by April, Bob needed a wheelchair. And when July came, Bob was in bed, his breathing aided by a ventilator.

What caused his condition still is being debated, with one set of doctors diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), and another saying he suffers from Lyme disease. Whatever the cause, it has taken a devastating toll on Bob.

I sat with his wife, Vicki, by his bedside yesterday and listened as Bob talked about this past year, about his family, his friends, and his faith. Because of the ventilator, speaking is difficult for Bob. Although he labored to form his words, his message was positive and uplifting.

"I am very thankful and blessed," he said. "I have a wonderful wife and kids, and I have immense support from our friends. My faith makes me strong, and I have put my trust in God."

Bob's illness has, of course, turned life upside down for the entire Hoffmann family. Vicki shoulders most of the day-to-day responsibilities, with a lot of help from Dan, and recently oldest son Bob Jr., 24, moved back home to help. Daily therapy sessions seem to have halted further physical decline, but given the different diagnoses Bob has received, it's hard to know whether it is the right treatment.

"We're praying it's Lyme disease," Bob said. "You can recover from that. ALS you can't."

Not that Bob has a doubt he'll recover. "It will be a long road back," he said. "But I have faith I'll walk again."

Lest anyone discount Bob's faith and tenacity, he also pledged to make it to Dan's football games this season, and last week he did.

Making the trip in a specially equipped van rented for the purpose and aided by a portable ventilator, Bob was on the sidelines last Friday. And it's where he'd like to be this Friday for Dan's final game. However, sheer willpower might not be enough to make that happen; this time it might take some help from the community.

Although their own vehicle is being converted to be wheelchair accessible, it won't be ready for a few weeks. So for Bob to make the trip to the game, the Hoffmanns must continue to rent a van. It comes at a fairly high price: Vicki told me a month's rental will run $1,800, and obviously, Bob's illness has put a severe strain on the family's finances. Strain or no, Vicki knows how important it is for Bob to be there for his son — and the same is true for Dan. Having his father there for senior night would mean the world to him.

In my comings and goings associated with this column, I get to meet many people. Some I like; some I don't. Some I have respect for. Some I even think are terrific leaders in the community. Who I rarely meet are those I'd consider an inspiration, but that changed at Bob Hoffmann's bedside.

I am truly humbled by his abiding faith, and equally so by the love of his wife and sons. This is a family that has seen incredible heartache this past year, but has somehow weathered the storm. When I left, Bob he offered this thought: "I'm not sure how this will end up, but we know God will somehow work good with it."

I hope they can all be together tomorrow night as Dan Hoffmann runs out on the field. And if you are there, stand and cheer so his dad can hear.