Angie Knight with her husband , T . R .

By Angela Knight As spring nears , March again brings “ MS Awareness Week .” I find this interesting , as I experience 52 of these each year , but it is nice that a bit of time is set aside to share information with others . Over 400,000 individuals in the United States face this challenge , so this week offers the chance to shine a light on information that may be new … or misunderstood .

As our friend “ G . I . Joe ” used to say at the end of each cartoon in the 80s , “ Knowing is half the battle .” Knowing what MS is – and what it isn ’ t – is helpful in gaining an understanding of this illness . So what is multiple sclerosis ? It is an autoimmune disorder , meaning that the otherwise helpful immune system is affecting something it shouldn ’ t . In this case , the white blood cells are attacking several ( multiple ) places on the coating of the nerves . These attacks create scars ( sclerosis ). Sounds simple , doesn ’ t it ? Not so fast . Consider the nerves that run through the body , not to mention the large bundle of nerve tissue that we call the brain . In fact , using MRI technology , scars viewed in the brain often lead to a diagnosis

of MS .

If it is anything , MS is unpredictable . Scientists are still uncertain as to the initial cause of this disease , there is not a certain pattern that it always follows , and it can vary

widely from one individual to another . The best area analogy I have found is the menu of Upland ’ s Ivanhoe ’ s restaurant . Hoe ’ s is largely known for its 100 varieties of shakes and sundaes , and MS can vary

just as much , if not more . Some are diagnosed and may have a “ vanilla acapella ,” with no additional or noticeable symptoms after the initial onset . Others , though , experience a shake not even on the menu , with

Besides knowing what MS is , it is equally important that we realize what it isn ’ t . MS is not a death sentence : though chronic , it is not fatal . MS is also not the sign that somebody has lost his or her ability to be productive

ingredients they never liked to start with . Symptoms can include fatigue , loss of coordination , heat sensitivity , slurred speech , cognitive problems … and I ’ ll stop there , as this is a bit disheartening .

Besides knowing what MS is , it is equally important that we realize what it isn ’ t . MS is not a death sentence : though chronic , it is not fatal . MS is also not the sign that somebody has lost his or her ability to be productive . Every individual , like those beloved gourmet shakes , is different . The last two homes where we lived had us next door to an individual with MS , something I certainly didn ’ t realize at first . You see , MS is not obvious . Two thirds of those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are female , but this means that many are also male . MS is also not agespecific . A few are diagnosed as young as six ,

some in their 50s or 60s , but many in their 20s or 30s . Many are from Western European ancestry , but this also varies . And about a fourth of those with MS end in a wheelchair , but three fourths do not .

So why should we be aware ? More and more medical breakthroughs are on the horizon . There are currently fourteen medications on the market to help slow MS progression , and a cure is closer each day . In the meantime , patience and understanding are key in helping support our friends and neighbors with MS . Now you know , and though simply knowing may not be half the battle , it is certainly a step in the right direction .

Angie Knight was diagnosed with MS in 1997 and lives with her husband and daughters in Upland . Visit her “ Invisible Issues ” blog at http :// angieknight . wordpress . com .