Comments about ‘BYU law professor fighting ALS’

Michael Goldsmith has been one of the true luminaries at the J. Reuben Clark, Jr. School of Law. He inspires students to enter public service. He challenges bright minds to think deeper, harder, more compassionately. A Jewish boy from New York, Mike Goldsmith is a shining exemplar of how a good lawyer can serve the profession and be true to moral values. The BYU Mormons are lucky to have him.

I am a current BYU Law student and have Prof. Goldsmith for Criminal Procedure. He is easily my favorite professor thus far in my law school career, and is a great asset to the Utah Legal community. Please reach read the article in Newsweek and support his cause!

Since Mike's diagnosis of this difficult disease, I have had the opportunity to work with him as his physical therapist. You will never meet a more interesting story here in our great state. He fights every day to maintain the function that he has. He continues to fight every day. He will continue to teach and swim as long as he can. To use a baseball metaphor, he'll go down swinging.

The more interesting story is how he and his current wife met. It is truly a love affair made for the movies. I admire the two of them so much.

I have grown very close to this man and consider him a very close friend. I hope his effort to get baseball to listen will not be in vain. They need to give back to people such as Mike and also pay tribute to men like Gehrig who gave so much to the game.

Professor Goldsmith is a can-do lawyer and a can-do person. It's no wonder he has successfully followed his dreams to a fascinating life. He has influenced and touched countless lives, including mine, and will continue to do so as long as he lives with his sincere heart and can-do attitude.

Way to go Prof. Goldsmith. As a former student, I am so proud to see you making the most of your terrible situation. Many of us try to make a difference, but every so often, someone steps up and brilliantly and courageously changes history. I believe you have done that today.

My heart and my family's heart goes out to you.