What does multiple sclerosis (MS) look like? The answer is not simple.
However, a new photo exhibit is challenging public perceptions about
MS, and helping put the disease in focus. In doing so, the exhibit is
meant to encourage those with symptoms of MS to seek early diagnosis
and treatment.
The exhibit, called "The Image of MS," was photographed by famed
photographer Joyce Tenneson and was recently on display at New York
City's Grand Central Terminal. According to Tenneson, the 27
photographs capture the "grace and courage in the everyday existence of
people with MS."
The exhibit is slated to visit several hometowns of the participants
and can also be viewed at www.ImageofMS.com. Symptoms of MS vary from
person to person and can include fatigue, vision problems, weakness,
numbness, tingling, stiffness, dizziness, loss of bladder control and
slurred speech.
Among the 27 participants is Cindy Heitmann, 48, a native of Buffalo,
N.Y., who more than a decade ago was diagnosed with MS after awakening
one morning unable to move. Suddenly, the nurse of 20 years also became
a patient. It took months of testing before doctors were able to
finally diagnose her with MS.
Says Heitmann, who now travels the country encouraging others with MS
to take control of their lives: "When someone looks at me, I want them
to see me as a mom, as a wife, as a nurse, as someone who's positive
and supportive and active. I don't want MS to stop me from doing
anything."
"MS is a potentially debilitating disease, so we need to strive to
diagnose and treat it earlier to help halt or slow the damage," said
Barry G. W. Arnason, M.D., professor of neurology at the University of
Chicago. "We need the public to be aware of the early symptoms and
understand that treatments available today can help slow disease
activity and help prevent the appearance of symptoms."
The "Image of MS" campaign is sponsored by Berlex, Inc., marketers of
Betaseron®, a medication indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms
of MS to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. There is no
cure for MS. The introduction of Betaseron in 1993 heralded a new era
in the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. The most commonly reported
adverse reactions for Betaseron are lymphopenia, injection site
reaction, asthenia, flu-like symptom complex, headache and pain.
