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Morendil comments on Dying Outside - Less Wrong
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I am indeed signed up, having been an Alcor client for 20 years.
Ironically I chose full-body suspension as opposed to so-called neurosuspension (head only) on the theory that the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system might include information useful for reconstruction and recovery. Now it turns out that half of this data will be largely destroyed by the disease. Makes me wonder if I should convert to neuro.
Indeed even the popular (mis)conception of head-only revival wouldn't be that bad for me, not unlike the state I will have lived in for a while. In fact it would really be better in many ways if I could somehow lose my body once I become paralyzed, since it will be a potential source of pain signals and also a lot of work for caregivers to deal with. But I doubt that the technology is there yet.
To what extent, if any, did your choice of signing up years ago modify the impact of the bad news ?
From a certain point of view, your diagnosis enhances the value of having purchased the cryonics option. You can be reasonably certain that when the end comes it will be predictable and you will be in an environment that makes suspension and transport easier.
Also I imagine that financing suspension with a life insurance policy becomes a different proposition, financially, after you've been diagnosed with ALS.
I've been putting it off, myself, for a bunch of reasons including the usual of looking like a very long shot and the social stigma, but mostly because at the moment it's such a US thing and there is so very little guidance to be had if you live elsewhere (I'm in France). Your example is making me rethink that. I suppose I should just fire off an email to Alcor and CI and see what they can tell me.
It was actually extremely reassuring as the reality of the diagnosis sunk in. I was surprised, because I've always considered cryonics a long shot. But it turns out that in this kind of situation, it helps tremendously to have reasons for hope, and cryonics provides another avenue for a possibly favorable outcome. That is a good point that my circumstances may allow for a well controlled suspension which could improve my odds somewhat.
You're right though that with this diagnosis, life insurance is no longer an option. In retrospect I would be better off if I had purchased more life insurance for my family, as well as long term care insurance for myself. Of course, that doesn't change the considerations which made those seem to be unattractive gambles beforehand.
Neuro is cheaper than whole-body, isn't it? Take some equity out of your cryonics insurance plan and use it for your (pre-deanimation) care.
Keep the equity in your insurance plan in case suspension prices go up over time.