[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E345-E346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY MS150 BIKE RIDE FROM HOUSTON TO AUSTIN 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2012

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, rise to discuss Multiple 
Sclerosis (MS) and to support the Multiple Sclerosis MS150 Bike Ride 
from Houston to Austin occurring this weekend. The National Multiple 
Sclerosis Society has sponsored this and many other events over the 
course of last 32 years.
  Multiple Sclerosis (MS), itself, is an unpredictable disease of the 
central nervous system which disrupts communication between the brain 
and other parts of the body.
  Sadly, there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis at this time. 
However, there are therapies that may slow the disease. The goal of 
treatment is to control symptoms and help you maintain a normal quality 
of life. Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the 
ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double 
vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye.
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects women more than men. 75% of the 
people diagnosed with MS are female. The disease is most commonly 
diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, but can be seen at any age.
  I would personally like to thank the National Multiple Sclerosis 
Society for spreading awareness about MS and for organizing the 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society's 2012 X Event/ Bike Ride from 
Houston to Austin.
  In additions, I would like to thank all the participants who are 
biking and supporting those who are participating in this meaningful 
bike riding.
  Their efforts have raised funds and hopes not only in support of 
researching a cure for Multiple Sclerosis, but also providing programs 
for people affected by the disease to address their daily challenges.
  Multiple Sclerosis is known to be one of the most debilitative 
chronic diseases. It is a terrible affliction that interrupts the flow 
of information from the brain to the body. Every single day, over 
400,000 people battling with the physical, mental and emotional 
challenges of this disease.
  It is an unpredictable disease that affects each person differently. 
Symptoms can be mild, such as some numbness in the limbs. Or, they can 
be severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, 
and specific symptoms of MS are erratic and vary from one person to 
another.
  Thanks to organizations like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 
however, today new treatments and advances in research are giving new 
hope to people affected by the disease.


                          BIKE MS150 OVERVIEW

  Beginning in 1980, Bike MS150 has grown to be the largest organized 
charity bicycling event in the US, inspiring over 100,000 volunteers to 
participate every year. For the last 6 years my office has volunteered 
to participate in the MS150. Together, we have raised more than $600 
million for this noble cause.
  I also know there are other Multiple Sclerosis events, such as MS 
walks and golf tournaments through which people raised the public 
awareness and delivered their love, support and care to the members of 
the MS community.


                          THE STORY OF NICOLE

  I would like to share with you the story of Ms. Nicole. Diagnosed 
with MS in 2000 while attending nursing school, Nicole didn't give up 
her dream, persevered, and finished her degree. Sadly, the development 
of the MS forced her to give up her nursing career in 2009. But the 
disease never stopped her from pursuing a full and beautiful life.
  Nicole started a personal blog and readapted to all the physical 
difficulties in her life. I would like to take this moment to share 
with you a sentence from her blog, ``emotionally I'm stronger, more 
resilient and tenacious than ever. Looking forward, my new normal is 
uncertain. In my heart I feel it is going to get better.''
  It is going to get better because Nicole has a determination to 
battle the disease; because everyone of us here today are dedicated to 
offer our support; because together we believe we can make a difference 
to people and their families living with the diseases.
  Again, I am honored to be part of this event, and applaud all of 
those involved in the effort to free people from MS.


                               Key Points

  I. The Disease.
  Mutiple Sclerosis (MS) is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the 
protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve 
covering is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop. The nerve damage 
is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's own 
immune cells attack the nervous system. This can occur along any area 
of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. It is unknown what exactly 
causes this to happen.
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects women more than men. 75% of the 
people diagnosed with MS are female. The disease is most commonly 
diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, but can be seen at any age.
  Those living with MS experience muscle weakness in their extremities 
and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms may be 
severe enough to impair walking or even standing.
  In the worst cases, MS can produce partial or complete paralysis. 
Most people with MS also exhibit paresthesias, transitory abnormal 
sensory feelings such as numbness, prickling,

[[Page E346]]

or ``pins and needles'' sensations. Some may also experience pain. 
Speech impediments, tremors, and dizziness are other frequent 
complaints. Occasionally, people with MS have hearing loss.
  Approximately half of all people with MS experience cognitive 
impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, 
and poor judgment, but such symptoms are usually mild and are 
frequently overlooked. Depression is another common feature of MS.
  The MS150 Bike Ride.
  The purpose of the ride is to raise money for multiple sclerosis 
research and other services supported by the National MS Society. The 
ride typically takes place over the course of two days and are 
generally around 150 miles long, though they can be as short as 3 miles 
(for a family fun ride) or as long as 250 over five days.
  Bike MS events aim to pull the whole community together by gathering 
support from local businesses, elected officials, residents and people 
living with MS. In 2008 the Society created a special website so riders 
can select a ride based on dates, length, location or difficulty.
  Donations raised through Bike MS directly help people affected by 
multiple sclerosis through support programs and cutting-edge research. 
The Upper Midwest Chapter serves more than 17,000 people living with 
the disease and Bike MS makes a difference to each one.

                          ____________________