InTouch with Southern Kentucky March 2020 | Page 21

Sexton began having symptoms in
1999 from his first bout. The onset
came rather suddenly for him. It
was five years before his next MS
episode. Then, it hit with a ven-
geance lasting around 18 months.
“During that time, I saw five dif-
ferent neurologists and two neuro-
surgeons,” Sexton says. “Whenever
the symptoms came back again, I
was officially diagnosed in 2006 and
started treatment then.”
His treatment began with injec-
tions. Currently, he takes medicine
once a day for the disease.
“Up until a few years ago, MS was
treated primarily with injections,”
Sexton says. “Now, oral medications
are available for even the progres-
sive stage of the disease.”
“There are a lot of new break-
throughs that we are learning about
with MS,” he continues. “Neurolo-
gists are able to diagnose it earlier.”
His position in MS Society allows
him to testify before both state and
federal legislators in Frankfort and
Washington advocating for others
with the disease. In February, he
SUBMITTED
Pictured are married couple Rick
and Lisa Sexton.
spoke to a committee of Kentucky’s
General Assembly. This month, he
will speak in front of congressional
members on Capitol Hill.
“I strive to do all I can for helping
people deal with MS,” Sextons says.
“Most people feel very confused and
isolated with the onset of diagnosis,
and I encourage anybody with MS
to surround themselves with a good
support system.”
Sexton gets backing from his wife,
Lisa, and their three children—Jay-
sie, Whitnie, and Tyler. In the past,
his family participated with him on
multiple MS walks or other fundrais-
ers at some time or another.
“I feel very fortunate to have the
support of my family,” Sexton says.
“They and my church family at
Science Hill Church of the Nazarene
give me a strong support group
around me.”
Locally, Sexton helped coordinate
multiple MS fundraisers and aware-
ness events in Pulaski since his
diagnosis. The most recent occasion
was at the Center for Rural Develop-
ment this past fall.
“I am very fortunate that I am able
to still work,” Sexton says. “I have
some balance issues but I am still
able to walk and live with the numb-
ness from day to day.”
“My faith has helped me a lot,” he
continues. “I am able to do what I
can because it is God’s will.”
Fin ally. Th e an s we rs, q u al it y, s uppo r t,
g u id an ce an d p e ace of m in d you’ve been
s e arc h in g for are h e re in S omer set.
Blu egrass S en ior Livin g is n ow open!
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Cal l Al l is on at 606.679.4578 to s c hedule
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c are s e n ior l iv in g com muni t y.
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M arch 2020
I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky • 21