John Driskell Hopkins ‘Wakes Up Every Day Grateful’ Amid ALS Battle
By Movieguide® Contributor
Zac Brown Band member John Driskell Hopkins is sharing how he stays positive amid his battle with ALS.
Hopkins was diagnosed with ALS in May 2022 and has continued to tour with the Zac Brown Band, record new music, and launch a nonprofit — Hop On A Cure, which funds ALS research and creates a community for those living with the disease.
The musician might be facing a tough road, but he has always done his best to remain positive.
“I had one lady ask me … she was diagnosed right around the same time,” Hopkins shared. “She said, ‘How come you’re not crying all day?’ I’m like, ‘Crying sucks.’ You know, I’ve done my share of crying, and I know I don’t want to. I’m always making jokes. I’m not going to make light of this, but I am going to poke fun at it and at my expense.”
He continued, “I want to remember that I’m a songwriter and a musician, but it’s difficult to sit up here and carve away all day when there’s so much going on, but I’m accepting it.”
“I still don’t know what tomorrow brings,” Hopkins concluded. “I still don’t know where this will lead, and I still wake up every day grateful that I’m able to put my feet on the floor by myself.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Hopkins’ nonprofit:
Zac Brown Band member John Driskell Hopkins is sharing more details about his battle with ALS, as well as how he plans on combating the disease. He was diagnosed in 2021.
The cause of ALS is unknown and symptoms vary from person to person. There is no cure.
Hopkins and his wife have established a charity called Hop On a Cure that raises money for ALS research. They’re already raised $100,000.
“I’m not a scientist, I’m not going to be the one with the test tubes and the research. I’m someone who has a platform that can explain, ‘I can’t play guitar like I used to’ … I might not be able to sing one day,” Hopkins explained. “If I’m able to spread the word that way … that’s my responsibility.”
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