Public Policy and Advocacy Committee:

Living With ALS: A Therapist’s Story

January 27, 2026 at 7:00 - 9:00 PM 

Location: Virtual

Hosted by the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

Will, a physical therapist, first noticed symptoms later confirmed as early signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) while on his honeymoon at age 28. Over the following two years, his disease progressed rapidly. His wife, Kourtney—also a physical therapist—now serves as his primary caregiver. Nearly a year ago, Will expressed a desire to create an educational video about ALS specifically for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

This continuing education course presents the evolution and development of that video while providing an in-depth exploration of ALS tailored to the physical therapist. Core content includes the disease’s pathophysiology, diagnostic process, symptom progression, and evidence-based management strategies.

In addition to the scientific and clinical components, the course features the powerful video inspired and requested by Will. The video highlights the lived experiences of a physical therapist with ALS and his physical therapist–wife–caregiver. Through this real-world perspective, participants will gain deeper insight into the emotional, social, and ethical dimensions of care. By integrating clinical knowledge with empathy-driven practice, learners will be better equipped to provide informed, compassionate, and patient-centered support to individuals and families affected by ALS.

Speaker: Dr. Stephen Carp PT, MSPT, PhD is currently a faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at DeSales University.  He maintains an acute care practice in a Philadelphia hospital. His undergraduate and master’s degrees are in Physical Therapy and his PhD is in Motor Control. He is a board-certified Geriatric Specialist.  He teaches in the areas of Geriatrics, Clinical Medicine, Management of Physical Therapy Practices, and Research.  His areas of research interest include effectiveness of non-government support of the poor, and implicit bias and clinical decision making.

Contact Hours: TBD

Registration is free for members and a $10 fee for non-members. After registering, be sure to save your confirmation email, as it contains the Zoom link needed to join the event on the day.