Jerry Idt

By CAROL FETTIN
Hub Staff Writer

KEARNEY - Jerry Idt of Kearney won't allow himself to coast.

Despite living with a neurological disease for the past 20 years, he has never let life get him down.

"If you give up, you go downhill," he said. "You have to have a positive attitude."

That positive attitude earned him the Freedom Award in the Medical/Health Category.

Idt became ill in 1983. One year ago, the disease was identified as SCA-8 ataxia.

Ataxia is a neurological disorder that attacked Idt's speech and movement because it atrophies the cerebellum.

He said the cause of the rare disease is not known.

Instead of giving in to his disease, he volunteers for medical research and with several organizations in the community.

Idt participates in the research at Bob Allison Research Center at the University of Minneapolis by donating DNA for testing, he said. Allison, a former Minnesota Twins baseball player, died at age 61 from a form of ataxia, but Idt's form of the disease is not fatal, he said.

"I want to help other people and to combat the disease," Idt said.

He talks with the help of an electro larynx, which is a portable voice box.

Idt and his wife Lois have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Carolyn Menke, who nominated Idt for this award said, "It is far different than his life prior to the disease when his musical talents supported roles in the Elkhorn Quartet, Shamrock Quartet and the 1733 Barbershop Chorus where he sang baritone and bass."

Menke said that Idt is not the traditional medical/health recipient. "He is on the other side of the medical textbook, living and serving his community with a disease that attacks speech and movement."

Idt said that his disease is frustrating to him, but it isn't going to get him down.

He said that singing was an important part of his life before he lost the use of his voice. He also was a member of the choir at the Faith United Methodist Church. "I miss singing in the church choir the most," he said.

He retired in 2003 from Northwestern Public Service after leaving work in 1988 on a medical disability.

He has remained active in organizations such as the Golden K Kiwanis, Elks Lodge 984 and Travelers Protective Association. He also volunteers at the Kearney Law Enforcement Center, the Jubilee Center, and the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument.

Lois said that even if Idt's disease is not fatal, it is life changing. "It is cruel," she said. "Sometimes you wonder why, but you learn to live with it."

Idt said that the award surprised him. "I am proud, very proud," he said.

e-mail to:
carol.fettin@kearneyhub.com