Enid MS Walk brings cure one step closer Published Nov. 28, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. M. Davis Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Team Vance can put their best foot forward to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis at the eighth-annual Enid MS Walk April 9 at Champlin Park. Organizing the MS Walk every year is a labor of love for Dr. Lynne Taylor whose husband, Tom, was diagnosed with the disease early in his life. "My husband was an Oklahoma State University student when he was diagnosed in 1964," said Dr. Taylor, a business and industry services coordinator at Autry Technology Center. "Tom, who was a track star in college and an avid rodeo rider, noticed numbness in his arms and legs and was extremely fatigued. He was 23 when he was diagnosed with MS." The disease normally affects people between 20-50 and is an unpredictable disorder of the central nervous system caused by the immune system's attack on myelin, the insulating substance surrounding nerves that speeds electrical impulses of nerve signals. "In the early days of the disease, there were no medications available to assist with the management of the disorder. People weren't diagnosed until later in life," Dr. Taylor said. "The MS Walk will raise money for medical research, for local programs and education of nurses and physicians." According to the National MS Society, approximately 400,000 people in the United States are afflicted with the disorder. In some cases, the disease will either slowly or rapidly lead to severe disability. For others, there are cycles of attacks and remission. Depending on which nerve fibers are affected, patients can have problems ranging from clumsiness and weakness to numbness, visual problems and even mood and cognitive changes. For Frank McIntyre, being diagnosed with MS in October was a relief - finally he knew the cause of some of the symptoms he was experiencing. "It can be a little scary when all of sudden your leg doesn't respond to signals from your brain. At one point, I had to physically lift my foot from the gas to the brake pedal, and I didn't know why," said Mr. McIntyre, wing public affairs chief of internal information, and Airscoop writer. "Thankfully, the diagnosis helped alleviate some of the mystery and worry about my symptoms. Although modern medicine has developed treatments that help control the disease, nothing short of a cure can return me to being able to conduct normal activities again. I'm grateful for activities such as the MS Walk that help lead to a cure and glad Team Vance can be a part of those activities." Last year, more than 200 people participated in the event, which raised more than $38,000 to find a cure for MS. "This is a great way for Vance Air Force Base and the Enid community to get together for a good cause," said Teresa Vance, MS Walk coordinator for Vance AFB. "We are hoping to drum up some friendly competition between squadrons. People can participate individually or as a team of four or more." Registration for the event takes place at 9 a.m. in Champlin Park, but people are encouraged to register online at nationalmssociety.org/oke. Individuals raising more than $75 will receive a free T-shirt. "People can walk, run, roller blade or bike the three-mile route," Mrs. Vance said. "Strollers and pets on leashes are also welcome on the walking path as well." Although he was afflicted with the disease for the majority of his life, Dr. Taylor's husband, Tom, never lost his fighting spirit. "He never gave up. His positive attitude and knowledge of the disease really helped," she said. "We are hoping to bring more awareness of the disease to the local community, so people will have the courage to get diagnosed. Help is available." For more information regarding the Enid MS Walk, call Mrs. Vance at 234-1209 or e-mail her at ohbigwoo@cox.net or call Dr. Taylor at 237-7135.