May 21, 2009
Speaker for 2009 Women Against MS Luncheon Earns National Spotlight
The Chapter's Women Against MS Leadership Luncheon is scheduled for November 17, 2009. This year's speaker is Wendy Booker, featured in the two articles below. Learn more about the November luncheon.
Two Woman Climbers with MS Near Summit of Mt Everest in Lead Up to First World MS Day
PharmiWeb
London Wednesday 20 May, 2009
American climbers Wendy Booker and Lori Schneider who both have Multiple Sclerosis are due to make their final assault on Mt Everest in the next 48 hours in the lead up to the first ever World MS Day.
Climbing in separate teams, they are believed to be the first people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis to attempt to reach the top of Mt. Everest. If she succeeds, Lori Schneider intends unveiling a flag with the logo of World MS Day at the summit (www.worldmsday.org)
This first ever World MS Day (Wednesday 27 May 2009) aims to be a day of unity, strength and solidarity, where people affected by MS across the world are urged to come together to take positive action on MS. The goal is to mobilise and expand the global MS movement by encouraging people to talk about their MS experiences, donate to support people affected by MS and to fund research, join MS organisations and encourage politicians to take action. It has been organised by the London-based Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (www.msif.org) and by MS Societies in 54 countries around the world.
Lori Schneider has carried a World MS Day banner in her backpack every step of the way and will take it with her to the summit of Everest. “I am climbing this mountain for all of us with MS, and all those who need to be reminded to live their dreams,” she says.
“Climbing a mountain is similar to having MS - you concentrate on taking one step at a time and congratulate yourself with each step. At first I saw my MS diagnosis as devastating. Now I see that it has been a positive catalyst in my life which has moved me closer to living my dreams. My mission is to give hope to others who are living with this condition."
"I use mountains as metaphors for the obstacles we all encounter in life," says Wendy Booker. “I want to inspire others - especially young people - not to see obstacles as mountains in their way, but more as challenges to 'climb' over and around. We all have such 'mountains' in our lives and we cannot let them stop us!", says Wendy Booker.
For updates on Wendy Booker’s Everest ascent: http://wendybooker.wordpress.com For updates on Lori Schneider’s Everest ascent: http://www.alpineascents.com/everest-cybercast.asp
More information and photos/interviews:
For Wendy Booker: Trish Thomas, Akamai Consulting, LLC +1 720-224-4923/ +1 303 678 5000 Email: trish@wendybooker.net
For Lori Schneider: Dee Johnson, Dee Johnson and Associates Ph +1 715-779-3012 Email: deejohnson@centurytel.net
For further information on World MS Day contact:
Helen Regan, Advocacy and Communications Manager Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, London
Ph:+44 (0) 20 7620 1911/ + (0)7905 348 0765
Email: helen@msif.org
For more information:
http://www.worldmsday.org
Editor's Details
Helen Regan
http://www.worldmsday.org
helen@msif.org
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Wisconsin woman with MS climbing Mount Everest
Star Tribune
Last update: May 21, 2009 - 7:19 AM
A 52-year-old northern Wisconsin woman with multiple sclerosis is just days away from reaching the summit of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, fulfilling her dream of reaching the highest point on each of Earth's seven continents.
Lori Schneider, of Bayfield, is one of several climbers closing in on the 29,035-foot peak on the border between Nepal and Tibet, according to her online updates.
The blog lays out a schedule that has Schneider and the others reaching the summit on Saturday, four days before World MS Day.
She began her seven-peak pursuit in 1993, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with her father, reaching the summit on his 61st birthday.
However, six years later at age 43, while training for Mount Aconcagua, in Argentina, her body began to go numb, and her multiple sclerosis was diagnosed.
She quit her teaching career in Colorado, ended a 22-year marriage, moved to Wisconsin (she's a Janesville, Wis., native) and "felt the panic of needing to complete my chosen task while I was still in control of my physical body," she wrote online.
Now, all that is left is Everest.
"My biggest reward through all of this has been learning about overcoming fear and limitations, and sharing this lesson with others," she wrote. "Life is too short not to go for the gusto when you are given the opportunity. I hope that all of your dreams come true as well."
To follow Schneider, visit her blog.
PAUL WALSH