Q&A with Steve K.

This is the final feature in VPR POP’s blog series to raise awareness about life with multiple sclerosis in honor of MS Awareness Month. We hope you feel more educated about multiple sclerosis, enjoyed our series and learned more about a few of the incredible MS Ambassadors.

Please revisit Lauren’s feature here, Joyce’s feature here, and Denny’s feature here to learn how they are living and thriving with multiple sclerosis. We will close the series by introducing you to MS Ambassador Steve K.

Please tell us a bit about yourself, Steve: I’ve lived in Southern California my whole life. The last 38 years I have spent living in Riverside, CA with my family. My wife, Leah, and I live with our little man, Brody (7). I have two other children, Jessie (26) and Steven (24). They both live in Illinois and each has given me a grandson.

Steve and his wife, Leah

How did you know you had Multiple Sclerosis?

Two years prior to my diagnosis, I was working in construction. During that time, in 1999, I fell and did some major damage to eight discs in my spine. I was taken off work completely. At the time, I didn’t realize that the dizziness that caused me to fall and other symptoms were from Multiple Sclerosis. From here, I had to try and deal with all the changes I was going through… vertigo, dropping things, and being off balance. I also went numb from my neck to my toes. Finally, in February of 2002, I went blind in my right eye.

Q&A with MS Ambassador Denny T.

This post is part of a series for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month featuring MS Ambassadors. The Genzyme MS Ambassadors Program educates people with multiple sclerosis and their care partners about new treatment options and provides motivation from someone who has first-hand experience living with MS.

Revisit Lauren’s feature here and Joyce’s feature here. 

VPR POP would now like to introduce you to MS Ambassador Denny T.

Where are you from?

I grew up in northern Kentucky in a small town along the southern bank of the Ohio River; close enough that I could hit an 8-iron into the river from my front yard. I have lived in Knoxville, Tennessee for the last 32 years.

What do you do in your spare time?

I live alone so there’s always something to do that’s both needed and dreaded. Housework is something I only seem to barely qualify for. I have been gradually finishing an addition to my house for the last couple of years. I’ve learned everything from electrical to flooring, drywall to plumbing.

I also pursue varied physical activities; golf, various cardio machines, yoga. I love to fish, although I’ve learned to prefer fishing from someone else’s boat. 

MS Ambassador Lauren Newton Q&A

In continuation of our Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month blog series, VPR POP would like to introduce you to MS Ambassador Lauren Newton.

Tell us a little about yourself, Lauren.

I am a native of Washington, D.C. When I was born, an oak tree was planted in front of our house. Our nation’s capital can experience severe weather at times — thunderstorms, ice storms, and an occasional hurricane. My tree has weathered many storms over the years as a result of the strong roots it has developed. It is no coincidence that I compare myself to that oak tree, which is still standing in front of the home today. Multiple Sclerosis is my storm and, like the mighty oak tree, I too now

Q&A with Joyce Tobin

In celebration of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, VPR POP is hosting a blog series in March to introduce you to some of the MS Ambassadors, inspiring people who live with an inflammatory disease that attacks the central nervous system.

The Genzyme MS Ambassadors Program educates people with multiple sclerosis and their care partners about new treatment options and provides motivation from someone who has first-hand experience living with MS.

We kick off the series with Joyce Tobin.

Q&A with Multiple Myeloma Journey Partner Michael Riotto

In support of March being Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, we asked Multiple Myeloma Journey Partner Michael Riotto to answer a few questions.

Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that forms in plasma cells. Plasma cells normally help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow or other tissues and these malignant plasma cells produce abnormal proteins, which can cause kidney and other problems.