Meet Gary A., overcoming obstacles to an active life with MS

Ten years ago, Gary A. was a successful realtor with a large network of contacts. Life was uneventful until his boss noticed that Gary was slurring his words. Unaware of the problem, Gary assured him that alcohol was not a factor, and went for a checkup.

He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or MS, a neurological disease that Gary had never heard of. Gary faced MS with the determination to achieve the best quality of life possible, and he encourages others to do the same.

When he heard that Kessler Foundation Research Center was conducting clinical studies aimed at improving function in people with MS, he volunteered to participate. In the Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Laboratory, researchers were testing memory retraining strategies that that help people remember. More than 100 people have done the training, reported lab director Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, which has helped them in everyday activities like work and shopping. Its exciting to see an individual benefit, to witness the change in a persons outlook, she acknowledged, but our long-term objective is to develop rehabilitation strategies that improve quality of life for the larger population of people with MS.

Other studies measure improvement in brain function using functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI. This technology allows us to make a movie of the brain at work. We can see how the brain with MS behaves while performing a task, Dr. Chiaravalloti said. Comparing brains with and without MS helps researchers understand to effects of the disease and devise better rehabilitation strategies to help patients think, learn and remember. Gary participated in another study that uses virtual reality to help people improve their driving skills. Driving is essential for Gary, whos back at work in real estate, where he puts his knowledge and experience to use working with clients who have disabilities.

Today, Garys growing network includes people with all types of MS and all types of disabilities. Theres no doom and gloom at the monthly meetings of Garys support group, which feature invited speakers who help people cope with medical care, finances, insurance, transportation, employment, and other issues. Gary recalls how hard it was to face MS initially. I was very negative, he said. Participating in clinical studies helped me put my disability in perspective. Now, I'm much more open-minded. Ive learned better ways to overcome obstacles.

For more information about Kessler Foundation, go to http://www.KesslerFoundation.org

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