Kristyn Edwards, Katie Isley, Mally Gent, Sharon Kearns, &  Suzanne Bland

My mother had Multiple Sclerosis in the 1970′s.  She did not have the benefit of the treatments,  support and research that are now available through the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  My mother lived alone with MS, as there was little known about the disease at the time.

She  spent a great deal of time at Duke Medical Center, but at the time there was no real help. In fact, the only treatment available to her were periodic spinal injections performed by a doctor that visited the United States from South America to give these treatments. When I was a child, I would accompany her to a hospital emergency room in South Carolina to receive the injections. After the injection, we would take a cab to a hotel room where she would be required to lay flat on her back for several days. Room service, television, and walking down the street to a local pharmacy for medication filled those days as she recovered. The injections put her into some sort of remission -  but it was temporary.

There were no family support mechanisms, nor a neurologist with whom she frequented. Divorce, raising 3 children and increased difficulty managing the illness without much help took its toll over the years.

Today, research in MS is progressing at a remarkable rate, with more potential therapies in the pipeline than at any other time in history. The National MS Society is a driving force of MS research, supporting and stimulating world-class research into ways to prevent, better treat and cure this unpredictable disease of the brain and spinal cord. MS supports more than 440 research grants and training fellowships on a broad range of topics  including immune aspects, nerve tissue repair and myelin biology, clinical trials, rehabilitation, psychosocial issues and health care delivery. Dollars raised support research, but a large portion also goes to local programs and individual patient and family support.

This past week, I was recognized for some of the work I have done for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. It is rare when one can share their talent in a way that helps an organization that is so dear to your heart. I am lucky. I have been able to paint, draw and develop all kinds of artwork for event marketing. It is a really fun diversion from my coastal artwork -  one that allows me to explore and try new ideas, techniques and styles.

I send my warmest thanks to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, for their kind thoughts… as well as for the opportunity to explore my talent and help others at the same time!

As well, I take my hat off to my sister, Suzanne Bland, who has devoted her career toward helping to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

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The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National MS Society serves over 7,800 people living with MS and their families in western North Carolina and South Carolina.

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