A popular meteorologist in Iowa is setting viewers straight after some accused of being drunk on air. The truth is much sadder and more heartbreaking.
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Jeriann Ritter, a popular meteorologist at NBC affiliate WHO 13 in Des Moines, recently revealed that she has an aggressive form of ALS. She went to the doctor after viewers started to complain that she was drunk on the air last October. Ritter noticed her speech had a slur to it.
At the time, she thought she might be having problems with her teeth. But doctors soon diagnosed her with bulbar ALS
"I love talking about the weather," she revealed. "I don't love talking about ALS. That's what the doctors believe is causing my speech problems."
Meteorologist Reveals ALS Diagnosis
The news took Ritter for a loop. Bulbar ALS is an aggressive form of the neurodegenerative disease. It affects the muscles in the face, throat, and neck. Eventually, it destroys the ability to speak, swallow, and even breathe.
"I wasn't prepared to hear that," the meteorologist said. "I really thought it was something little. It's a hard diagnosis. Right now, I pray every day that a miracle is going to happen. I keep thinking, 'It could be something else.' It is killing me that something that came so easy is now so hard. My greatest joy is talking and it's becoming hard to do, it's kind of a bummer."
Ritter had been working at the news station for more than 22 years. She revealed that she has tried speech therapy. But things keep getting worse. Sadly, the disease means she won't be working as a meteorologist for the area much longer.
"I'm probably done telling you about the weather, but I still have a lot to say," she said. "I'm going to do what I've always done, I'm going to live and I'm going to love. That's what I'm doing. I didn't forecast this storm hitting. It's raining right now and I'm just trying to find the sunshine and focus on the little things, living in the moment. I'm so wealthy because I have so much love."
