MS sufferer conquers Mount Everest

TODAY is World Multiple Sclerosis Day to raise awareness of the crippling disease and raise funds for MS research.
American climber Lori Schneider (52) last week became the first person with diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) to get to the top of Mount Everest.

Ten years after doctors warned her to prepare for life in a wheelchair, she reached the summit in the early hours of Saturday morning, carrying with her a banner reading: ‘Join the Global Movement. End MS!’ Leaving Base Camp at Everest earlier last week, she said: ‘I am climbing this mountain for all of us with MS, and all those who need to be reminded to live their dreams.’Climbing a mountain is similar to having MS – you concentrate on taking one step at a time and congratulate yourself with each step. At first I saw my MS diagnosis as devastating. Now I see that it has been a positive catalyst in my life which has moved me closer to living my dreams. My mission is to give hope to others who are living with this condition.’ ‘The MS community around the world is celebrating Lori’s achievement,’ said the CEO of the London-based Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, Peer Baneke. ‘Lori is an inspiration to everyone who has MS or who knows someone with MS. It is a fantastic way to mark our very first World MS Day,’ he said.World MS Day aims to be a day of unity, strength and solidarity for people affected by MS across the world. The goal is to mobilise and expand the global MS movement by encouraging people to talk about their MS experiences, donate to MS charities, join MS organisations and encourage politicians to take action. It has been organised by the London-based Multiple Sclerosis International Federation www.msif.org and by MS societies in 129 countries. People wanting to know more about the day can visit www.worldmsday.org.