illustration of author Mitch Albom sitting next to Morrie Schwartz, who is lying in a bed

Tuesdays With Morrie

by Mitch Albom

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What disease does Morrie suffer from in Tuesdays With Morrie?

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Morrie has the progressive nervous system disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS.

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In Tuesdays With Morrie, Mitch Albom reconnects with his old sociology professor after seeing him on a television guest spot. This is when he learns that Morrie Schwartz is terminally ill. Morrie has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also commonly called Lou Gou Gehrig's disease. This illness affects the nervous system and causes a gradual loss of control over muscles. Despite its slow progression, ALS is always fatal.

As the disease takes hold over Morrie, he finds himself unable to take part in the activities that he previously enjoyed, such as dancing. He comes to rely more and more on his wife's care. Faced with his own impending mortality, Morrie explores his own personal philosophies on life and death, which he puts into writing. It is these writings that land him the guest spot on TV.

After Mitch and Morrie reconnect, they start spending time together every...

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Tuesday over the course of several weeks. Morrie shares his knowledge and wisdom with Mitch, and the two men discuss many deep philosophical ideas. Mitch also watches as ALS progressively erodes Morrie's health. He knows that it is only a matter of time before his friend succumbs to the disease. After Morrie's death, Mitch publishes a book of the many life lessons he learned from Morrie during their Tuesdays together.

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What disease was Morrie diagnosed with in Tuesdays With Morrie?

In the book Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom tells of the time he spent with his dying former sociology professor, Morrie. While studying at Brandeis University, Albom took numerous sociology courses taught by Morrie, and at graduation, Albom promised to keep in touch with Morrie. However, life gets in the way and Albom fails to keep in touch.

After seeing an ailing Morrie on "Nightline" one night, Albom reconnects with his former professor and discovers he has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which affects the nervous system and muscles and eventually kills those who suffer from it. Morrie finds he must give up many of his favorite activities, including dancing, and he requires constant care from his wife, Charlotte.

Soon, Albom is visiting Morrie every Tuesday to hear his life lessons and help care for Morrie, physically and emotionally. However, Morrie's life lessons are much more impactful for Albom, teaching Albom both the sanctity and fragility of life. In the end, Morrie dies from ALS, and Albom publishes a book, Tuesdays with Morrie, recounting the many lessons he learned from his former professor.

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