United by shared values of service Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Live Like Lou Foundation have worked side by side with the Permobil Foundation to honor the legacy of Brother Lou Gehrig and provide life-changing mobility and support to those facing ALS.
For years, this partnership has empowered families living with ALS by giving them custom power wheelchairs. These chairs, often gifted during Lou Gehrig Day celebrations at MLB ballparks, are more than a tool, they are a lifeline to mobility, dignity, and independence for individuals affected by the disease.
Phi Delta Theta and the Permobil Foundation presenting a custom Kansas City Royals wheelchair to a local fan living with ALS.
The first chair presentation occurred in 2021 at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and quickly expanded to additional MLB ballparks, including those of the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. Each year, Lou Gehrig Day continues to grow across MLB, creating more opportunities to honor Gehrig’s memory and bring ALS awareness to ballparks nationwide.
Honoring Brother Todd Nisbet
Todd Nisbet running in the Iron Phi 5K during the 83rd Biennial Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The impact of this partnership is perhaps best seen through the life and legacy of Todd Nisbet, a Phi Delta Theta General Council member, and advocate in the fight against ALS.
Todd played a role in early conversations between Phi Delta Theta and the Permobil Foundation in 2020, where future collaborations were envisioned. His influence helped shape a partnership that now stands as a beacon of service and support for ALS families.
Todd was deeply connected to the Fraternity’s ALS initiatives long before his own diagnosis in 2022. He believed that a cure would come—if not in his lifetime, then for future generations, including his children Harry, Emma, and Virginia.
Todd passed away in June 2025, but ALS did not define him. Alongside his wife, Anita, Todd faced ALS with courage and grace for three years, inspiring all who knew him. His leadership, kindness, and vision embody both the values of Phi Delta Theta and the mission of Permobil. His legacy lives on through every ALS family served and every act of brotherhood extended in his honor.
A Lasting Tribute
Sean Wagner, Nat Love, and J. David Almacy join Todd’s wife Anita and their children Harry, Emma, and Virginia in front of the memorial tree they planted in his honor.
On September 30, 2025, Phi Delta Theta’s Executive Vice President and CEO Sean Wagner, General Council President Nat Love, and Past President of the General Council J. David Almacy joined Todd’s family to plant a memorial tree at the Nisbet family home in Nashville, Tennessee. The tree was first announced just days after the heartbreaking news of Todd’s passing, at the 85th General Convention in Atlanta, Georgia—an event Todd and his family had planned to attend.
While in Nashville, the Permobil Foundation hosted its Roll the Dice fundraiser at Nissan Stadium, a lively event featuring casino-style entertainment, auctions, and community celebration. During the evening program, Todd was honored in a tribute that highlighted the Fraternity’s commitment to the fight against ALS and the lives Todd touched through his leadership and service.
To further honor his legacy, a sister tree will be planted at Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio, on October 15, ensuring Todd’s example of courage, leadership, and service will remain a permanent part of the Fraternity’s story. In addition, permanent signage at Permobil will honor Todd and celebrate the enduring partnership between Phi Delta Theta and the Permobil Foundation, keeping his influence and vision alive for generations to come.
Carrying the Mission Forward
The partnership between Phi Delta Theta and the Permobil Foundation is more than a collaboration, it is a commitment to action. Rooted in the spirit of Lou Gehrig and carried forward by brothers like Todd Nisbet, this mission continues to bring independence, awareness, and hope to the ALS community.
Through shared dedication, Phi Delta Theta and the Permobil Foundation will continue to honor Lou Gehrig’s legacy, celebrate the strength of ALS warriors, and remind the world that brotherhood, service, and innovation can change lives.
