Rusty C. has spent most of his life behind a camera. A lifelong photographer and retired local photojournalist, he fell in love with photography at age 3. For decades, he used his lens to tell other people’s stories. Today, he is sharing his own.

Rusty lives with ALS, a progressive neurologic disease that affects movement and muscle control. His path to diagnosis was long, stretching back to 2010 and 2011, when he first noticed cramps and twitching. Over the years, he went through testing more than once. When his diagnosis was confirmed on Feb. 6, 2025, Rusty knew he needed a team that would bring both expertise and compassion to every step of his care. That is what he found at Ochsner.

Rusty had spent years looking for answers. He stayed active for much of that time. He played competitive volleyball, ran often and kept working as a photographer. But as symptoms changed, he knew it was time for more evaluation.

At Ochsner, his care team took the time to be thorough. Rusty appreciated that the team worked carefully to make sure the diagnosis was correct. Just 18 days after his diagnosis, he was seen in Ochsner’s ALS clinic, where he met a group of specialists focused on helping him live as fully as possible.

One moment stood out right away. On his first ALS clinic visit, Kristin Johnson, MD, sat with Rusty and his family for more than two hours.

Rusty came prepared with a page and a half of questions.

“She answered every single question,” he said. “Never once did it feel like she was rushing.”

That visit gave Rusty something powerful: clarity. He said Dr. Johnson explained everything in a way he could understand. She made space for his concerns, listened closely and helped him feel supported from the start.

Rusty’s experience at Ochsner has been shaped by a full team working together around his needs. His care team includes specialists in physical, speech and occupational therapy, palliative care, pulmonology, and nutrition, along with respiratory therapists, physician assistants and medical assistants. The ALS Association also provides valuable support.

Together, they help Rusty manage daily life, maintain strength and mobility, and plan for what comes next. That team approach has made a real difference.

He has spoken warmly about the people who care for him and the way they take time to explain, guide and encourage. From therapy visits to clinic follow-ups, Rusty says he has felt seen as a person, not just a patient.

That support extends beyond the clinic. Rusty’s family has been by his side throughout his journey. His wife, Ann, helps keep daily life moving while also caring for him with deep love and steady attention. Their sons, Chris and Kyle, remain an important part of his support system. His brothers also step in to help with appointments and other needs. Rusty describes that circle of care with heartfelt gratitude.

“The amount of loving kindness I received has been overwhelming,” he said.

Even with momentous changes in his life, Rusty has held onto the work that has always grounded him.

“Taking pictures is my own therapy,” he said.

After his diagnosis, he began exploring a new style of photography. Instead of covering games, events and community stories the way he had for years, he turned the camera inward. He started capturing personal moments, family moments and parts of his medical journey. The result was a different kind of storytelling, one that was honest, intimate and full of heart.

That creative shift led to Love in the Face of ALS: A Photographic Journey at the St. Tammany Art Association. The exhibit became more than an art show. It became a way for Rusty to thank the many people who have stood by him.

Through those images, Rusty shares both challenge and grace. He shows what support looks like. He shows what purpose looks like. And he reminds others that even in hard seasons, life can still hold beauty, connection and meaning.

Today, Rusty continues to focus on what matters most: family, friendship, creativity and time well spent. He still cooks. He still connects with friends. He still creates. He also takes part in research, hoping his experience can help others in the future.

Ochsner is honored to be part of Rusty’s journey and inspired by the way he continues to use his voice, his art and his story to lift others.

Learn more about ALS care at Ochsner Health.