Senators assistant coach Bob Jones opens up about ALS diagnosis

Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones says he has no plans to stop working after he was diagnosed with ALS, which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, earlier this year. 

"It was shocking," he said of the news. "I didn't do any research on it, I didn't know anybody that had it. I knew it was a horrible disease." 

In an interview with CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning, Jones opened up about his life post-diagnosis, how he broke the news to the Senators organization, and his desire to raise awareness about the disease.

Before the diagnosis, Jones said he tried to hide his symptoms from family and colleagues. The neurological disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's, causes gradual paralysis and eventually complete loss of muscle control — including the ability to walk, talk, and breathe. 

Jones said he was experiencing slurred speech and cramps in his hand and feet, but felt an urgency to see a doctor once members of the Senators coaching staff noticed. 

After the hospital visit, Jones invited the Senators coaching staff over to his home to deliver the news. 

"I sat them down, had a beer, and I told them," he said.

While Jones went home to Tecumseh, Ont., to tell his kids Blake and Brianna of his diagnosis, he said Senators head coach D.J. Smith broke the news to the players. 

"They're all in support," said Jones. "They're good people, good humans, good hockey players. We're a team."

Jones said he got three opinions from different doctors before going public with his diagnosis. They all came to the same conclusion. 

"I was looking for something else, but it is what it is," he said. 

Although this diagnosis has affected much of Jones's life, he said he has no plans to stop working. He is on medication to slow down his symptoms