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Wendy Walker's

One step closer to a cure . . .

Wendy Edwards, SGT, US Army Veteran
4 Years Active Duty, 4 Years Reserve Duty
Army Commendation Medal
Three Army Achievement Medals
Two Army Certificates of Achievement
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
A.S., General Studies, Cum Laude

This is Why   

Wendy Walks

The MS Walk has become very near and dear to me, especially since I found out that a very good family friend and one of my best friends was diagnosed with the disease.  I've been a true believer in supporting different organizations to help find a cure for different diseases and sicknesses. Wendy was diagnosed with MS in 2000.  Many of you who know Wendy knows that she is a very kind, generous, giving and outgoing person.  She has always been a hard worker in everything that she does.

Wendy served in the U.S. Army, four years active duty and four years with the Army Reserves as a Sergeant and was honorably discharged.  Despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis Wendy continued to pursue her education and earned her Associates degree in General Studies and graduated Cum Laude (with honors). She also passed a rigorous examination and achieved her CPS rating and was in the 90th percentile of qualifiers.  Wendy loves to learn and continues to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.

This page was created for Wendy and the many number of her supporters as we're all going to take the walk to become - -

ONE STEP CLOSER TO A CURE . . .

to Multiple Sclerosis.

Bonita Barbour

Ellen Blackburn

Thomas Blackburn

Maria Bohabot

Joe Burke

Judy Damian

Ellen Dickenson

Wendy Edwards

Jo Beth Elliott

Brian Gibson

Rolonda Gibson

Andrea Gosine

Ashley Gosine

Lana Gosine

Myee Gosine

Francis Ho

Edna Honesty

Alma Kemp

Ritesh Kumar

Kathleen Landers

Feraz Mohammed

Anh Nguyen

Julie Nguyen

Thom Nguyen

Dottie Villers

Tina Nguyen

Terri Pendleton

Cathy Polanski

Mark Portofe
Amy Portofe

Katie Reinhardt

Colin Roberts

Kathy Roberts

Kristian Roberts

Riana Roberts

Sherridon Roberts

Stacey Roberts

Mary Sherris-Meyrow

David Staulcup

Kathryn Staulcup

AJ Swinton
Danielle Swinton

Diane Swinton-White

Ellen Wang

Donna Wolf

Bea Novales
Brian Yee

Niki Van
Nannie Ricks

Mickie Gaines

Mary Montano

Cathy & Mark Hirsh

Elayne Smith

Elaine Bennett

Robin Alexander

Mattie Barbour

Sheila Campbell

Jessie Dean

Jacquenette Helmes

Tess Palao

Daphne Blasingame

Joe Figini

Jennifer  Kubitz

Jean Crump

Nanni Thestrup

Jill Spohn

It was nice to see people of all ages to include babies, toddlers, children, teens and adults out walking to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. The weather was fantastic.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO GAVE UP THEIR SUNDAY FOR A VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE. It was a great pleasure seeing all of you!

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system.

Its symptoms and severity vary from person to person, and therefore the progress of the disease cannot be predicted. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe enough to cause loss of vision or complete paralysis. However, advances in research and treatment are providing hope to those affected by the disease.

An estimated third of a million Americans have multiple sclerosis, with nearly 200 new cases diagnosed every week. Counting family members and those who care for people with MS, the disease impacts more than one million of our friends and neighbors.

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, but the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can last a lifetime.

The National MS Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.

While the exact cause of MS is unknown, most researchers believe that the damage to myelin results from an abnormal response by the body's immune system.

Normally, the immune system defends the body against foreign invaders such as viruses or bacteria. In autoimmune diseases, the body attacks its own tissue. It is believed that MS is an autoimmune disease.

In the case of MS, the substance that is attacked is the myelin, and sometimes the nerve fibers themselves.

Scientists do not yet know what triggers the immune system to attack nervous system tissues. Most agree that several factors are involved.

What causes MS?

While the exact cause of MS is unknown, most researchers believe that the damage to myelin results from an abnormal response by the body's immune system.

Normally, the immune system defends the body against foreign invaders such as viruses or bacteria. In autoimmune diseases, the body attacks its own tissue. It is believed that MS is an autoimmune disease.

In the case of MS, the substance that is attacked is the myelin, and sometimes the nerve fibers themselves.

Scientists do not yet know what triggers the immune system to attack nervous system tissues. Most agree that several factors are involved.

YES. Today there are 5 federally approved medications that treat MS. Four of them: Avonex, Betaseron, Rebif, and Copaxone have been shown to be effective in modifying the natural course of relapsing MS. Clinical experience suggest they are most effective if taken early in the disease.

The National MS Society recommends treatment with one of the "disease modifiers" as early as possible for most people who have a diagnosis of MS with relapsing course.

In some circumstances, treatment with a disease-modifying drug may be recommended before an individual is definitely diagnosed, if the person experienced one attack and has evidence of MS lesions as seen by MRI scanning.

The fifth drug, Novathrone, is effective slowing down MS that is rapidly worsening or becoming progressive.

Steroids may be used to shorten acute attacks. Many other therapies are being clinically tested, and researchers feel hopeful that more treatments for MS will be available in the near future.

There are also many therapies to moderate or relieve MS symptoms. Physical therapy, exercise, vocational and cognitive rehabilitation, attention to diet, adequate rest, and counseling maybe invaluable for maintaining independence and quality of life. Spasticity, bowel and urinary distress, pain, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms can be eased with medication and therapy. Prompt management of symptoms is vital. They should be discussed with a knowledgeable physician.

An estimated 400,000 Americans have MS. Most are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, and about two thirds and women. The disease is more frequently found among people who grew up in colder climates.

Studies indicate that genetic factors make certain individuals susceptible to the disease, but there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited.

MS is an unpredictable disease. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person and vary over time in the same person.

Periods of active MS symptoms are called attacks, exacerbations, or relapses. These can be followed by quite periods called remissions.

The disease ranges from very mild and intermittent to steadily progressive. Some people have few attacks and little, if any, disability accumulating over time. At diagnosis, most people have relapsing-remitting disease. This means they have attacks followed by periods of partial or total remission, which may last months or even years. Others experience a progressive disease course with steadily worsening symptoms. The disease may worsen steadily from the onset (primary progressive MS0 or may become progressive after a relapsing-remitting course (secondary-progressive MS).

Because MS affects individuals so differently, it is difficult to make generalizations about disability. Statistics suggest that 2 out of 3 people with MS remain able to walk over their lifetime, but many of them will need a cane or other assistive devise. Some will choose to use a scooter or wheelchair to conserve energy. Others will require a wheelchair to maintain mobility.

MS is not always easy to diagnose because symptoms may come and go. In addition, other diseases of the central nervous system have some of the same symptoms.  No single neurological or laboratory test can confirm or rule out MS.

Recent advances in medical imaging, particularly MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), are helping to clarify diagnosis. A conclusive or definitive diagnosis requires evidence of multiple patches of scar tissue in different part of the central nervous system, and evidence of at least 2 separate attacks of the disease.

A definitive diagnosis can take several months. Sometimes it takes year.

The National MS Society fights MS

Information, local referrals, publications, programs, and volunteer opportunities are available from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its 50 state network of chapters.

Society members are people with MS, their family members, concerned friends and neighbors, and health-case professionals. The Society is the world's largest private funder of MS research and, through local, state, and national advocacy programs, serves as a voice for Americans with MS.