I remember it well. The day a sentence, one phenomenal sentence, indelibly entered my heart. It was short, to the point and brought tears to my eyes. I was sitting in a room filled with women, all dressed to the nines, who were patiently waiting for the fashion show to begin.
Someone grabbed the microphone to welcome us. I recognized the voice and when I looked up I saw the woman responsible for creating the MS Center we were honoring, the MS Center who embraced my family and me after my diagnosis. She was my nurse practitioner, the one who became my friend and mentor, the one who changed my life.
She introduced herself, spoke eloquently about MS and explained the mission of the fashion show fundraiser. Then she added:
“I will not rest until we find a cure for MS, even if that takes the rest of my life.”
The words seemed to hang in the balance while my heart processed its remarkable meaning. There was someone out there working incessantly to make my life better.
What sort of person works tirelessly to find a cure for a disease that’s not their own? Who selflessly dedicates their life to such an endeavor?
For me the answer began with June Halper, a tireless advocate who touched my heart so long ago. She’s a nurse practitioner, author, CEO, businesswoman and creator who possesses the energy of the Energizer bunny on steroids. She is an amazing human being.
I recently wrote a piece for Mango Health on the four ways my diagnosis made me a better person. I credit June for being the one who, in 1986, taught me how to take the DIS out of ABILITY. Since then I’ve met countless other MS advocates, in and around the medical community, who are also doing incredible work.
I could write a book about them.
Through June I’ve had the good fortune of being affiliated with The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), the preeminent professional organization for Multiple Sclerosis healthcare providers and researchers in North America. As their blogger I'm honored to meet members of CMSC who work every day to make our lives better.
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and to honor it I wanted to introduce you to some of the tireless advocates who are members of CMSC.
Their common mission, as you can see from their quotes, is to create a better quality of life for those living with MS, to instill hope in all of us, and to find a cure.
I thank them for making a difference in the lives of those living with MS. They are brilliant and passionate in the work they do.
They are my rock stars; they are my heroes.
Many thanks to June Halper, Elizabeth Porco and Jenet Messina for helping me contact the members of CMSC.
I could not agree more! These are real people changing lives for the better -- that is real heroism. Very inspiring!
I have no doubt that with fabulous professionals like these and fierce advocates like you, a cure is possible and will be discovered.
These women certainly are heroes! I applaud each one of them for their dedication to the cause. You are also a hero and an inspiration for all the work you do for MS, Cath.
I have to bow to all you have done on your own behalf and for others with MS. There are always those unsung heroes and it was nice to see them acknowledged here, Cathy.
Lovely. And I am sure there are many who feel the same about you and the tireless work you do on behalf of those with MS. You are a rock star, too,
Yes these women are fantastic, devoted and focused. To see a cure for MS in our lifetime would be wonderful. You Cathy Chester are a powerful ambassador and advocate as well!
You are certainly one of my heroes!
The younger sister of my best friend from childhood has MS. I've shared this on Facebook and Twitter - she is a Facebook friend of mine.
Incredible women! They so very much deserve the HERO title.Kudos to them for all they do for you and others!
Kudos to YOU, my friend, for all YOU do for others! You're, as always, an inspiration.
{{{hugs}}}
I love this! There are so many heroes out there, doing giant things every day - and unfortunately they're not the ones we usually read about. The world would be a different place if we celebrated these everyday heroes daily. You, my friend, are one of them.
Hi good stuff. Just signed up. I have had MS since 1998 and been living in a mind set of positive, yet hard to connect as I run from those that see limitations. I saw your video about “Disability Doesn’t Mean Invisibility” and it is exactly how I feel. My problem is my mind is faster than body and still finding balance.
Been looking for a place of like minded people, not be alone and found you "The Empowered Spirit." Such wonderful information. Thank you for being there.
Your tribute makes me proud to be a nurse and I love that you have recognized so many of them as you have partnered with health professionals to cope with this disease. What a positive role model you are for anyone living with a chronic condition. You are inspiring!