Race to Erase MS
by the Nancy Davis Foundation
My name is Shannon Buchholz, aka JAZZIDIAMOND. My husband Harvey has been an MS sufferer for 43 years. He was fortunate enough after his initial flare-up that lasted 2 ½ years, where he was blind and paralyzed from the effects, that he was able to enjoy a reasonable 39-year remission.
Two years ago, horrible MS symptoms reappeared, and Harvey has had a rapid decline including a 99 percent loss of vision, complete hearing loss and severe mobility issues. Harvey always looks good, no matter what MS throws at him and he meets the challenges and refuses to give in or give up. His motto has always been, "If it’s coming for me, it better be prepared for a good fight," and I will always be in his corner - my bet's on him.
A while ago, someone posted on MSWorld message boards looking for volunteers for a special film project sponsored by The Nancy Davis Foundation called "Race to Erase MS." The filming was being done in Los Angeles, California in April 2006, and as luck would have it, we had planned to be in L.A. at that time.
After speaking to the staff at the production company, they were excited to have Harvey as one of their film subjects - seeing that his journey through the world of MS was long, mixed with different symptom levels and complicated.
Harvey is the last person who ever wants to be photographed or filmed, but he made the choice to participate. He felt if one person learned something about the ravages of MS, then progress was being made.
The filming was long, exciting, emotionally exhausting and enlightening. Both of us came away with the realization that others out there understood. There was a feeling from the crew members that touched our hearts. They were an average group of people who knew nothing about MS, its victims or its widespread list of symptoms – the lesson they learned was immeasurable. I watched a group of total strangers soften, empathize and cry with a life they had never known but now saw through the torture of MS.
Five hours of filming came down to the few minutes on this DVD. Everyone who participated deserves credit for allowing their voices to be heard.
The film’s purpose was to raise awareness and funding for MS.
An "invitation only" event was held by The Nancy Davis Foundation with Hollywood’s Who’s Who, people who are known for opening their hearts and wallets for a great cause. Yes, lots of money was raised, but the greatest part is the film was distributed for educational purposes to schools and hospitals around the nation. As we all know, through education comes progress.
The word is out. MS is a disorder that millions live with and caretakers deal with on a daily, even hourly basis. We may not be winning the fight yet, but we’re all in it together and we will fight until we succeed and no longer have to Race to Erase MS for the race will be won.
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