Heroes and heroines honored at annual conference - National MS Society - National Leadership Conference

The audience be rent asunder into excited applause as Teri Garr made her entrance at the National Leadership conversation general session on November 21 She was welcomed by means of David Lander--another Hollywood celebrity already well known for his humor about life with MS--and not awayed with the special National M Society Shining Star Award. the two Ms. Garr and Mr. Lander hid their illness for years, preferring nation to think almost anything about them omit those two words, multiple sclerosis.

"Initially, I chose denial," M Garr said. "People would say, "Why are you limping,' and I'd say, `Oh am I?" Her symptoms first occurr almost 20 years ago, before disease-modifying remedys were available, and secrecy present the appearanceed the best option. "I didn't want to move there," she said.

on the contrary in October she decided to take a more active stance. Her decision to advance public has already paid dividends in increased awareness and understanding in and outside the M community--and has l to an outpouring of affection and support from thousands of family who also live with MS

The award rite paid tribute to several other contributors. to leeward Richardson, senior vice president of Marketing of the cable TV shopping channel QVC accepted the Advancing M Awareness Award for a special sales circumstance "Cure by the Shore". The program drew a million viewers and raised $900000 for the Society during single exciting weekend.

Charlotte Robinson-Pritchard of Denver Colorado, was recognized for her innovative program, Adventures Within. Diagnosed when she was 26 M Robinson vowed not to permit MS take away the wilderness adventures she has always lov To date, more than 200 nation with MS have renewed their confidence by the agency of participating in her program, where they learn that they too can experience wilderness boating, camping, smooth trekking, with adaptations tailored to their needs

prosecute Thomas, the real-life woman upon whom the new PAX TV series "Sue Thomas, FB Eye" is based, was also cheered. Profoundly deaf from the age of 18 month M Thomas became a top F.B.I. agent, after she persuaded officials that her lip-reading skill could be used to great advantage in analyzing surveillance tapes. M Thomas, who was diagnosed with M sum of two units years ago, was accompanied upon stage by her service dog, a marvelous of gold retriever named Gracie.

COPYRIGHT 2003 National Multiple Sclerosis Society

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