Real people Real stories.

Montel Williams story

When the neurologist said those words -"You Have MS" it hit me like a brick.I thought the diagnosis was a death sentence. I learned that I had been having MS episodes off and on for more than 20 years, but like so many, I was in denial about my illness. I started The Montel Williams MS Foundation. Every dollar raised goes to research dedicated toward a cure for MS. Research shows that early diagnosis and treatment prevents the progression of MS.
The world needs to know the warning signs of MS and the treatment options available. The world needs to understand that many more people have MS than current data indicates. The world needs to mobilize against MS and knock it out for good.I believe to the depth of my soul that all of these goals can be achieved. It will take courage and commitment, but these are qualities we can help each other find in ourselves. I know we can build a future of hope and health, and together we're going to win. To read the full story of Montel's story you can visit The Montel Williams MS Foundation.

Bobby Welker's Story

Bob was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in January 2007. He had been having symptoms for five years before his diagnosis. He is a fighter and continues to live his life to the fullest. Since he was diagnosed he has participated in the Utah MS walk held every April. He walks the whole 5 KM with the help of his friends and family. The doctors told him that completely this race is like a marathon for him. He is an awesome example to everyone around him.

Clay Walker's MS Story

Clay Walker was the high school football star in Beaumont, Texas. Clay's diagnosis with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) came at a pivotal time in his life. In 1996, at the age of 26, he recently had finished his fourth album, his career in country music was exploding, and his oldest daughter had just been born. The last thing he expected was the tingling, numbness on his right side, and facial spasms that hit while he was on tour. After a battery of tests, he was diagnosed with RRMS. He worried how it would affect his career. In characteristic fashion, Clay prayed about it and then set his mind to doing everything he could to overcome the obstacles MS set before him. Clay has kept touring and recording steadily since he was diagnosed. He is well-known for his high-energy concerts and performance style. Knowing that others with MS have not been so lucky led him to the decision to form the Band Against MS Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making information about living with MS available and providing funding for research. Being diagnosed with MS hasn't been easy," said Clay. "I choose to view it as a 'bump in the road' rather than a detour, because I have been blessed to still be able to do the things I love." You can visit Clay Walker's Band Against MS for more information.

Four Disease Courses Have Been Identified in MS

Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)
RRMS is the most common form of the disease. It is characterized by clearly defined acute attacks with full recovery or with residual deficit upon recovery. Periods between disease relapses are characterized by a lack of disease progression. Approximately 85% of people with MS begin with a relapsing-remitting course.

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
PPMS is characterized by progression of disability from onset, without plateaus or remissions or with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements. A person with PPMS, by definition, does not experience acute attacks. Of people with MS are diagnosed, only 10% have PPMS. In addition, the diagnostic criteria for PPMS are less secure than those for RRMS so that often the diagnosis is only made long after the onset of neurological symptoms and at a time when the person is already living with significant disability.

Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS)
SPMS begins with an initial relapsing-remitting disease course, followed by progression of disability that may include occasional relapses and minor remissions and plateaus. Typically, secondary-progressive disease is characterized by: less recovery following attacks, persistently worsening functioning during and between attacks, and/or fewer and fewer attacks (or none at all) accompanied by progressive disability. According to some natural history studies, of the 85% who start with relapsing-remitting disease, more than 50% will develop SPMS within 10 years; 90% within 25 years. More recent natural history studies (perhaps because of the use of MRI to assist in the diagnosis) suggest a more benign outlook that these numbers suggest. Nevertheless, many patients with RRMS

Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS)
PRMS, which is the least common disease course, shows progression of disability from onset but with clear acute relapses, with or without full recovery. Approximately 5% of people with MS appear to have PRMS at diagnosis. Not infrequently a patient may be initially diagnosed as having PPMS and then will experience an acute attack, thereby establishing the diagnosis of PRMS.

The Assessment of Disease Progression
Physicians evaluate disease progression in three ways:
Radiographically—by looking for new lesions, gadolinium-enhanced lesions, or an increased amount of disease on MRI
Electrophysiologically—by measuring changes in the sensory evoked potentials
Neurologically—by measuring changes in function on the neurologic examination
Functionally—by assessing the person’s physical and cognitive abilities

These graphs and information were found at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website and The Multiple Sclerosois Association of America