Amy Edmonds didn’t see it coming.
She was a healthy, in-shape 27-year-old woman and a member of the National Guard. How could she be affected by multiple sclerosis, a disease that has affected more than 2.1 million people worldwide?
The answer is, she doesn’t know. In fact, no one really knows exactly who will get inflicted with MS and why.
But there are many people out there trying to figure out how this disease is caused and how it can be controlled.
Edmonds is one of them.
Along with the UW-Whitewater women’s sports fund, she is holding the fourth annual 5k walk/run on Saturday to benefit the MS Society and Warhawk women’s sports fund.
Edmonds, who is the assistant athletic director for the sports department, is committed to making sure people on the UW-Whitewater campus understand more about this disease.
“[MS] is very strange and I went through life happy and healthy with no adverse health conditions,” Edmonds said. “I’ve still been able to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do but now I have this additional thing to be aware of.”
There is no current cure for the chronic disorder that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision.
Edmonds said she is very fortunate that she suffers from relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis.
According to NationalMSSociety.org, RRMS is characterized by relapses during which new symptoms can appear or old ones can resurface, and periods of remission during which the person fully or partially recovers from the deficits acquired during the relapse.
“My condition is not progressive so as far as deterioration of the nerves goes, my progression will be much slower than those with progressive cases,” Edmonds said.
The most important thing Edmonds said she can do is remain active, and helping to create an event promoting fitness is a perfect way to pass along awareness of the disease.
“[MS] hits people between 27 and early 40s, mostly females and it’s not hereditary,” Edmonds said. “You have to remember that it can hit anyone at any time.”
