2005: celebrated Minnesota author Jon Hassler struggles with illness

Hassler admits to streaks of "Why me?" but says he's not depressed. "I've been spared that," he said. "My writing carries me through. I have something to get up for."

By Peg Meier, Star Tribune

Last update: March 20, 2008 - 1:05 PM

Way back in 1981, actor Robert Redford bought the movie rights to "The Love Hunter" by Minnesota novelist Jon Hassler. It's a powerful and dark story of a love triangle, with a main character who has multiple sclerosis. Redford was to play that part.

One day Hassler got a phone call from Redford's producer.

"Did you have any other disease in mind - a substitute for the MS?" the producer asked.

"No," Hassler said succinctly.

Well, the producer explained, Redford didn't want to look as sick and old as the character in the book.

"Too bad," said Hassler.

Partly aggravated and partly amused, Hassler did ask his literature class at St. John's University for ideas of an alternative disease. A student laughingly suggested herpes, probably also not a Redford-preferred affliction. For whatever reason, the film never was made. That's fine with Hassler, who protects the characters who have sprung - and crept - from his brain.

Now Hassler is 72 and ill with an incurable Parkinson's-like disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). It's what killed actor Dudley Moore, but it's advancing slowly enough in Hassler that he can write almost every morning, from 7:30 to 10:30. He had two books published in 2004, another is due in December and he's busy with two more novels.

PSP claims most of its victims in six to 10 years. Hassler has had it for at least 11. It gives him no pain and despite the illness' name, he has no tremors. His mind is good. His vision and voice aren't. The muscles controlling eye movements are affected, and he sees double up-close. His gait is slow and wobbly. He falls often - 746 times in seven years. That's not a guess; he keeps track. Often he uses a cane or his new motorized wheelchair. He still rides a bicycle in Florida; for some reason, his balance is better on a bike than on foot.

Hassler admits to streaks of "Why me?" but says he's not depressed. "I've been spared that," he said, his words coming slowly but understandably. "My writing carries me through. I have something to get up for."