About this user
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, potentially debilitating disease that affects your central nervous system, which is made up of your brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis is widely believed to be an autoimmune disease, a condition in which your immune system attacks components of your body as if they're foreign.
In multiple sclerosis, the body mistakenly directs antibodies and white blood cells against proteins in the myelin sheath, a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers in your brain and spinal cord. This results in inflammation and injury to the sheath and ultimately to the nerves that it surrounds. The result may be multiple areas of scarring (sclerosis). Eventually, this damage can slow or block the nerve signals that control muscle coordination, strength, sensation and vision.
Multiple sclerosis affects an estimated 400,000 people in the United States and probably more than 1 million people around the world — including twice as many women as men. Most people experience their first signs or symptoms between ages 20 and 40.
Multiple sclerosis is unpredictable and varies in severity. In some people, multiple sclerosis is a mild illness, but it can lead to permanent disability in others. Treatments can modify the course of the disease and relieve symptoms.
Middle School Teacher James Durham was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 6 years ago. Since that time Mr. Durham has battled MS with
1) Interferon drugs
2) A diet high in protein and natural/unprocessed foods
3) Exercise- lifting weights, cardio, cycling outdoors
4) Meditation- Buddhist meditation and Yoga
5) PMA - Positive Mental Attitude
"Life is full of ups and downs. MS creates new hills that provide many challenges while providing new rewards to enjoy. While living with MS has been a hardship at times, at the same time it has brought out the best attributes in most of the people I come in contact with. My family & friends have become an invaluable support system to help or listen whenever I need it. If you do not have a support system, please contact you local hospital who can find a support group for you to join. The group can be an MS support Group, a Chronic Disease Support Group, or any other type of group that erases any feeling of isolation. Talking & listening to others has been a great benefit to me. Aside from my family & friends, the largest benefit to my life has been my work. Never would I have thought teaching children would be so beneficial to my health, well being, and my life. Working with children allows me to almost forget the fact that I have MS. Children help me remember to be thankful for all that I have and to not think about all I have lost. I now teach my students the importance of loving their work. In the future when they are choosing a career, I encourage them to follow their heart and find something that will enrich their life, because it will truly enrich every aspect of their life.
The question for me now is- Will we find a cure? I have hope. I cannot live without it. I have hope for myself as a man, a husband, a father and a teacher. I believe a cure will come from a very unlikely place. I believe that there will be advances in medicine and nutrition in this country and the world. Anyone with MS should never give up hope. I am hopeful and optimistic for today and for tomorrow." -- Jim Durham 02/13/08
Interests
Cycling, racquetball, swimming, surfing, snowboarding, helping children.
