Martin Welsh

Family Practitioner

March 20, 1954 - October 28, 2010

Dr. Martin Welsh, of California, was a family practitioner who self-diagnosed himself with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2004. At the time of our filming he had lost the use of his legs, right hand, and voice.

Marty shared his story in his very personal essay “100 Things, Leading to a Single Choice”. First published in the Sunday Los Angeles Times, “100 Things” was reprinted many times in newspapers across the nation and internationally.

As he stated in his essay, ALS is “a cruel neurological illness in which a normally functioning intellect becomes trapped in an increasingly weak and eventually paralyzed body. Soon, I will die from it.” 

He opened his essay explaining I am a “…retired family doctor with a large, loving family and innumerable friends and former patients whom I see often. I am an extraordinarily lucky man”. The reality is we are the ones who are lucky. Dr. Welsh’s wisdom, first  as a doctor and then as a patient, helps others define quality of life and sheds light on the importance of listening to a patient’s end-of-life wishes.

Read the beautiful article entitled Ruleboy's Passing: My Brother Marty's Death Taught Something - But What?, written by Dr. Welsh's sister, Melinda Welsh, as it appeared in the 12/9/10 Sacramento News & Review.