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Name: Alan Osmond
Diagnosed: Around 1987 I started tripping on stage and I’d look down to see what I tripped on, and there was nothing. They did not put the name “multiple sclerosis” on it for a few years.
Occupation: Entertainer and producer. As a kid, I farmed. It taught me a lot of values. My father taught me, “You never give up, you hoe to the end of the row.” We had sugar beets, and that’s where that phrase came from.
Hobbies: I’ve got eight sons and 15 grandkids, so I love being a dad and grandpa.
What movement means to me: I learned the importance of movement as a TV producer. On Donnie & Marie we had balloon drops and fireworks and Donnie flying on a wire. People have a desire to see movement.
One thing I’ve learned about MS that I want to tell you: Fans say to me, “I have MS and my husband wants a divorce. He doesn’t want to be married to me.” Can you imagine? That’s not right.
What I’ve done to Join the Movement: My mother started the Osmond Foundation many years ago to help deaf kids. When you visit hospitals, it’s hard to just help the deaf when you see all these other kids who need help. It’s grown into the Children’s Miracle Network.
My Guinness World Record: I lit 1.3 million firecrackers in six seconds in one of my Stadium of Fire shows.
What I’m doing: Telling everyone how I feel on OsmondMS.com, speaking out in public service announcements on Clear Channel radio stations, and praying. Prayer is a very powerful tool, and it works.