What are some medically related things that someone could learn from reading "Tuesdays with Morrie"?

Morrie suffers from ALS, also known as "Lou Gehrig's
Disease," which is a disease which affects the neurological system.  Though the book
would likely not be classified as "medical" or even "scientific" in nature, what one
could glean from reading it is a personal understanding of what a person suffering from
this disease is likely to go through.  Though there are no major scientific or medical
explanations, there is a very personal account from Mitch Albom about the changes he
notices his professor going through.

These changes include
the slow muscle degeneration which starts with the loss of Morrie's ability to dance,
followed by his inability to press the brake pedal (and therefore his ability to drive)
and finally the loss of his ability to walk.  He progresses to requiring assistance in
the bathroom and later uses a catheter bag.  He needs assistance with everything from
getting dressed to eating.

As the disease progresses,
Morrie has more and more trouble breathing.  He is hooked up to oxygen.  He speaks more
slowly.  He develops a terrible wracking cough that brings up a lot of phlegm and keeps
him awake at night.  He requires more sleep and gets tired much
sooner.

Essentially, what this book shows about ALS, is its
slow progression of deterioration on the body.  For most, this is also a deterioration
of will, independence, and often times, self-dignity.  But for Morrie, this book
highlights the way the disease was not allowed to take his spirit and though it is
neither scientific nor medical in tone, this book could provide encouragement for
someone who has a loved one suffering from ALS.