Faces of MS
Katie K. & Lisa S. met through a mutual friend they had confided in that they were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). They were newly diagnosed and not only developed a friendship but a common goal to fight against MS. They found both strength and encouragement though their friendship they have opened up their struggles, fears, and experiences with others and their fight against MS.
After ruling out a stroke or reaction to medication as the source of numbness and tingling that began after the birth of her first child, Katie researched online and sensed that she might have MS. In March 2002, her self-diagnosis was confirmed by her neurologist based on results of a spinal tap and MRI. She called the National MS Society and was able to take part right away in a seminar for the newly diagnosed. She utilized the MS library there and she met people familiar with MS that gave her a more positive perspective on the disease. Grateful for its lack of impact on her own life, Katie made a commitment to herself to use personal and professional strengths to support the National MS Society and increase awareness of the disease. Her Walk MS team “Kitty Calypso & Co.” has raised over $55,000 for the National MS Society since 2002. Katie is also planning her 5th annual MS WALK SIT DRINK TALK fundraiser at Memphis Smoke in June, a free event featuring her band and an exciting silent auction. Katie’s band Miss Scarlet in the Hall with a Revolver donates 50% of their gig income to the NMSS. She also hosts a website (sitdrinktalk.com) with information on fundraising and MS, and speaks publicly about living positively with MS. Now a mother of two beautiful children, Katie has luckily not had a significant relapse since her diagnoses.
Lisa Stanton was told NutraSweet was the probable cause of the numbness in her lips and double vision early in 2004. After her second bout with double vision, an MRI was recommended and she was officially diagnosed with MS. This process took over a year. An official diagnosis was emotionally draining. Fortunately her symptoms were relatively mild and she soon realized that there was no reason to feel bad when she really didn’t “feel” bad. Talking to Lisa, you would never think that she encountered any hardship emotionally or physically. Her mother suggested she contact the National MS Society and in April 2005 she walked with the MS Society for the first time. The National MS Society Web site has helped her in her down moments and assisted in grounding her and her emotions. She soon realized that, “Everybody knows someone with MS; they just don’t know they know someone with MS.” She attributes her strength and ability to fight against MS to her amazing family and friends. In 2007 she started Team S.O.S (Strides over Sclerosis). In all the years combined since her diagnosis, Lisa has raised over $15,000. 2008 will be the second year of the MS golf outing fathers day weekend. She realizes that MS has changed her in ways she is grateful. “I now appreciate the people in my life more than the things in my life."
Katie and Lisa help one another and others through their creation of a support group of “Happening Women with MS”. They meet and keep in touch with women who are professional, successful, active, and have MS. They offer a face of MS that is positive. They are young, successful and driven. Their friendship, determination and passion for a better future show that anyone can survive MS.