PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: Christin Harding's Ride of a Lifetime: Life's Pleasures: "This is a story of dedication above all else. Christin Harding was diagnosed with MS 13 years ago. t was Christin's catalyst to live each day like it was her last. She says, in a way, this disease was a blessing in disguise....13 years later, there's still no wheelchair...."

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: "Vix Bares It All For MS":
"...She attracted more than 5 million visitors to her internet site and raised $10,000 for MS..."I am having a lot of fun, and I'm showing people that just because you have MS doesn't mean you're not sexy and you're not still a person," Vix, a saucy 36-year-old who suffers from MS, is baring it all to raise money for MS research and support programs.....But not everyone is a fan of Vix baring her breasts.

Although most of the response has been positive, she says several people have been critical of her cheeky campaign. "If any of these people can think of another way, for absolutely no output and cost to anybody, to make that sort of money in such as short period of time for MS then I'd like to hear what that is," noted Vix.

Because of the adult nature of Vix's site, we've decided not to include a link on our website. But if you'd like to donate to her cause, you can visit her site directly at vixpix.org....."

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: "Squiggy" and His Battle With MS:
"Actor David L. Lander, best known for playing 'Squiggy' on television's 'Laverne & Shirley,'" was diagnosed with MS in 1984, but hid his disease from the public for 15 years. In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of early and sustained treatment, David speaks with groups of people with MS as he 'plays the role' of Ambassador to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS).....David has also written a book chronicling his life with MS titled Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn't Tell Nobody."

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: Golfer Janice Triglione-Weiner:
"Janice Triglione-Weiner, who was diagnosed with MS in 1979, turned to LPGA teaching pro Cathy Macpherson for help with her golf game, but she found an opportunity to help herself much more than that......"

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: Therapy on horseback: "Lindsay Baker takes a ride on Kristov, a Norwegian Fjord horse, on Wednesday. Volunteer handler Diane Kerr assists her."

The gentle plodding of a horse's steps can be powerful relief from the world confined to ramps, concrete, canes and wheels. Jager explained that for riders who can't walk, the muscles normally used for walking are stimulated when riding. The horse's movement challenges the senses and improves balance, and the horse's constant movement works to massage stiff, underused muscles.

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros:Christy Welliver fights - Stem-cell limits up for revision:
"Christy Welliver hates waste. The Columbia resident, who has MS doesn't understand how the government can demand that research labs throw away human embryonic cells after surpassing a legal quota. For this reason, she stood by State Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, on Saturday at the MU Life Science Center as he announced his support for new federal legislation that would lift restrictions imposed by President Bush in 2001...."

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: MS hasn't stopped Paul O'Lone from entering the "Bodybuilding Fitness and Figure Championship"

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: Trauma Center Nurse Kim Womack
“My diagnosis 4 years ago has to catch up with me,” she says. “I have MS. I’m not disabled. I’m intelligent and upbeat and by the way, I have MS.”

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: "David L. Lander, better known as Squiggy on '70s hit Laverne & Shirley, serves as a scout for the Seattle Mariners. "
Photo & Interview

Shirley Armstrong overcomes MS to win blue ribbon
Shirley Armstrong of Rancho Bernardo shows off her winning watercolor, ‘Leo,’ which helped earn her a best of show honor at this year’s San Diego County Fair....

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: Doctor finds room at the inn for a new life, courtesy of MS: "A grateful patient made Jim Valenzuela the sign that hangs over his front desk."

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: Carlo Magno, dog trek cross-country to raise money for MS research

Carolyn Darner finds weight-loss cure
"I was 5-foot-1, weighed 195 pounds and had MS, I knew that willpower alone wasn't enough for me to lose weight. But I knew that if I got the weight off, I'd reduce some of my health problems, too." Darner thought of some friends she knew who had lost weight despite their medical problems through Take Off Pounds Sensibly, more commonly known as TOPS. She joined and changed her life....

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: NEW BOOK: "Challenging the Dragon: The Heartwarming Story of a Man Who Lives in the Shadow of Two Valleys"
" Meet Jim Haverlock...For the past twelve years Jim has struggled with progressive MS. “Challenging the Dragon” is his story. It is a timeless one with lessons and insights that will encourage and empower readers young and old.

At the heart of Jim’s story is that fundamental human quality: The desire to seek out or tool together ways to survive and yes, thrive in the face of a merciless adversary...“Challenging the Dragon” is available through Amazon, Borders, BookSurge, Alibris and the “Flyin-Blind” web site http://14ushop.com/flyin-blind/"

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: MS is Nancy Davis's driving force:
"The 48-year-old Nancy Davis is pretty enough to be an actress or a fashion model but, luckily, she's not just another pretty face. At 33, when she was in a troubled marriage and the mother of three young sons, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and for the past 15 years has worked tirelessly to better the lives of all victims of debilitating diseases."

In between appearances on Dr. Phil and Larry King Live, Nancy took time out for a Charm Q&A.

Question: How has having MS affected you?
Answer: At first I was terrified, but I've learned that no health condition and no illness is insurmountable. Recovery begins by believing that you can overcome illness and live a productive and fulfilling life, no matter how devastating the diagnosis. I am a living example. So is Magic Johnson, Charles Schwab, Stephen Hawking, Teri Garr, Lance Armstrong, Andrea Botticelli, Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali. The list of people who have not allowed their illnesses to dictate their personal successes or failures is long enough to fill several telephone books.

Q: How are you doing physically these days?
A: I feel great. I still have some problems with numbness and my vision, but I'm able to be an active mom to my twin daughters, who are toddlers and I make sure to exercise as often as possible. My favorite activity is still skiing.

Q: How did the "RACE To Erase MS" begin?
A: In 1993 I sponsored a celebrity ski event in Aspen, which has now become an annual fund-raiser in Los Angeles that always has special fashion show and musical theme. I'm proud to say that 90-95 percent of the money we raise from these events goes directly to support the groundbreaking research conducted at the Center Without Walls, which is a unique collaboration among the nation's top seven MS doctors.

Q: How do you think families are changed when one member is seriously ill?.........

PERSEVERANCE=Real Heros: "David Kyle trains for competition on the U.S. National Triathlon team" :
"Looking straight into the eyes of adversity is something David Kyle has become accustomed to.......So what is the most difficult part about being a MS patient competing in triathlon? Kyle said that battling fatigue makes both competing and training a daunting task. "Fatigue is a huge downfall of MS I have to be careful about when and where I train, and always plan ahead to make sure I don"t harm myself. Also when I compete, I schedule a pace for myself. Kyle believes that through his accomplishments with the triathlon, it has helped him overcome many of life"s problems. I was able to use my competition in the triathlon to help me overcome my competition with MS," Kyle said. While training, it gave me a lot of time to think, and it has made me stronger mentally, physically and spiritually. I want to lead by example, and show people that life"s problems can be overcome."