How do athletes with Multiple Sclerosis manage their condition while competing at high levels. What strategies do they employ to maintain peak performance despite MS symptoms. How have these athletes become role models for others living with MS.

Don McNeal: From NFL Star to MS Advocate

Don McNeal’s journey from college football champion to NFL player and eventually MS advocate is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Born in Atmore, Alabama, McNeal’s football career began at Escambia County High School before he went on to play for the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama.

During his college years, McNeal achieved remarkable success:

• Won two National Championships (1978, 1979)
• Served as team captain in 1979
• Selected for the University of Alabama All-Centennial Team in 1992
• Inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2008

McNeal’s professional career with the Miami Dolphins was equally impressive:

• Drafted as a defensive back in 1980
• Played in two Super Bowls (XVII and XIX)
• Named Dolphins’ Player of the Year
• Retired in 1989 after playing his entire pro career with the team

Facing the Challenge of Multiple Sclerosis

In 2014, McNeal received a life-altering diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This autoimmune disease affects the central nervous system, potentially impairing vision, sensation, strength, endurance, and coordination. How did McNeal approach this new challenge? With the same determination and positive attitude that defined his athletic career.

McNeal’s response to his MS diagnosis embodies his resilient spirit: “I have Multiple Sclerosis, but Multiple Sclerosis doesn’t have me.” This powerful statement reflects his commitment to living life on his own terms, despite the obstacles posed by MS.

Advocacy and Inspiration

Since his diagnosis, McNeal has become a vocal advocate for MS awareness and support. He actively participates in conferences and events, sharing his story to inspire others facing similar challenges. His involvement extends beyond MS advocacy, as he continues to serve his community in various roles:

• Drug-rehab counselor
• Teacher and coach
• Lay pastor
• Board member for various organizations
• Public speaker

McNeal’s dedication to helping others exemplifies the positive impact athletes can have beyond their sporting careers. How does he maintain such a positive outlook despite the challenges of MS? His wife Rhonda attributes it to his unwavering spirit and faith, noting that “He never complains, and even picks me up when I have a bad day.”

Josh Harding: NHL Goaltender Defying the Odds

Josh Harding’s story is another inspiring example of an athlete refusing to let MS define their career. As a goaltender for the Minnesota Wild, Harding faced unique challenges in managing his condition while competing at the highest level of professional hockey.

A Rising Star in the NHL

Harding’s journey to the NHL began with the Houston Aeros in the American Hockey League in 2004. His talent quickly propelled him to the Minnesota Wild in 2006, where he would spend the remainder of his professional career. What makes Harding’s story particularly remarkable?

• Diagnosed with MS in November 2012
• Kept his diagnosis secret for over a month
• Continued playing at an elite level post-diagnosis
• Had his best season in 2012-2013, following his MS diagnosis

Triumph in the Face of Adversity

Rather than allowing MS to derail his career, Harding used his diagnosis as motivation to reach new heights. His achievements post-diagnosis include:

• Winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2013
• Founding Harding’s Hope, a charity supporting MS patients

How did Harding manage to maintain his performance despite the challenges of MS? His determination and positive attitude played a crucial role, as did the support of his team and the hockey community. Harding’s success serves as an inspiration to athletes and non-athletes alike, demonstrating that a chronic illness need not be a barrier to achieving one’s goals.

Clay Walker: Country Music Star and MS Activist

While not a traditional athlete, country music star Clay Walker’s battle with MS and his subsequent advocacy work deserve recognition in any discussion of public figures living with the condition. Diagnosed with MS in 1996 at the age of 26, Walker has become a prominent voice in the MS community.

A Career in the Spotlight

Walker’s music career has been marked by numerous achievements:

• Over 30 charted singles
• 11 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country singles chart
• Four platinum albums
• Two gold albums

How has Walker managed to maintain such a successful career while living with MS? His approach combines medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and a positive attitude.

Advocacy and Awareness

Walker’s contributions to the MS community extend far beyond his music. He has leveraged his platform to raise awareness and support for those living with the condition:

• Founded Band Against MS (BAMS) in 2003
• Organizes charity bike rides and other fundraising events
• Speaks openly about his experiences with MS to reduce stigma

Walker’s efforts demonstrate the power of using one’s public platform to effect positive change. His work has not only raised substantial funds for MS research but has also provided hope and inspiration to countless individuals living with the condition.

Wendy Booker: Mountaineer and Adventure Racer

Wendy Booker’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Diagnosed with MS in 1998, Booker has gone on to achieve remarkable feats in the world of adventure sports and mountaineering.

Scaling New Heights

Booker’s accomplishments since her MS diagnosis include:

• Climbing the highest peaks on six of the seven continents
• Competing in the Iditarod dog sled race
• Participating in numerous adventure races and marathons

How does Booker manage to pursue such physically demanding activities while living with MS? Her approach involves careful management of her symptoms, rigorous training, and an unyielding determination to push her limits.

Inspiration Beyond the Mountains

Booker’s impact extends far beyond her personal achievements. She has become a source of inspiration for many in the MS community and beyond:

• Serves as a motivational speaker
• Advocates for MS awareness and research
• Encourages others with chronic illnesses to pursue their passions

Booker’s story challenges preconceptions about the limitations imposed by MS, demonstrating that with the right mindset and support, individuals with the condition can achieve extraordinary things.

Jimmie Heuga: Olympic Skier and MS Pioneer

Jimmie Heuga’s story is one of groundbreaking achievements both on and off the ski slopes. As an Olympic medalist who later developed MS, Heuga played a pivotal role in changing perceptions about exercise and MS management.

Olympic Glory and MS Diagnosis

Heuga’s skiing career was marked by historic achievements:

• Bronze medal in slalom at the 1964 Winter Olympics
• First American man to win an Olympic medal in skiing
• Diagnosed with MS in 1970 at the age of 26

How did Heuga respond to his MS diagnosis? Initially, he followed the then-standard medical advice to avoid physical exertion. However, Heuga soon challenged this approach, believing that exercise could actually benefit those with MS.

Revolutionizing MS Treatment

Heuga’s contributions to MS research and treatment were revolutionary:

• Founded the Jimmie Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis (now Can Do MS) in 1984
• Promoted an exercise-based approach to managing MS symptoms
• Developed programs combining physical, psychological, and social aspects of wellness

Heuga’s work has had a lasting impact on MS treatment approaches, demonstrating the potential benefits of exercise and holistic wellness programs for individuals with the condition. His legacy continues to inspire and guide MS research and treatment strategies today.

Ann Romney: Political Figure and MS Advocate

While not an athlete in the traditional sense, Ann Romney’s public battle with MS and her subsequent advocacy work have made her a prominent figure in the MS community. As the wife of politician Mitt Romney, her experiences have helped bring national attention to the challenges faced by those living with MS.

Diagnosis and Public Spotlight

Romney’s MS journey began in 1998 when she was diagnosed with the condition. Her experiences include:

• Initially struggling with severe symptoms that left her bedridden
• Finding relief through a combination of traditional and alternative therapies
• Using her public platform to raise awareness about MS

How has Romney’s public role influenced her approach to MS advocacy? Her visibility has allowed her to reach a wide audience, sharing her experiences and promoting understanding of the condition.

Advocacy and Support

Romney’s efforts to support the MS community have been multifaceted:

• Serving as a board member for the New England Chapter of the MS Society
• Establishing the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Authoring a book about her experiences with MS

Through her work, Romney has not only raised significant funds for MS research but has also provided hope and inspiration to many living with the condition. Her story highlights the importance of public figures in raising awareness and promoting understanding of chronic illnesses like MS.

David Lyons: Bodybuilder Challenging MS Stereotypes

David Lyons’ story is a powerful example of defying expectations and redefining what’s possible for individuals living with MS. As a bodybuilder diagnosed with MS in 2006, Lyons has challenged stereotypes and inspired many through his physical achievements and advocacy work.

Bodybuilding with MS

Lyons’ accomplishments in bodybuilding post-MS diagnosis are remarkable:

• Competed in natural bodybuilding competitions
• Received the John Crypto Award of Strength from Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Founded the MS Fitness Challenge to help others with MS improve their fitness

How does Lyons manage to maintain his bodybuilding regimen while living with MS? His approach involves careful management of his symptoms, a tailored exercise program, and a strong support system.

Inspiring Others Through Fitness

Lyons’ impact extends far beyond his personal achievements:

• Authored books on fitness and MS management
• Provides free fitness training to individuals with MS through his MS Fitness Challenge program
• Speaks at MS events and conferences to inspire and educate others

Lyons’ work demonstrates the potential of exercise and fitness in managing MS symptoms and improving overall quality of life for those with the condition. His story challenges preconceptions about the physical limitations imposed by MS and inspires others to pursue their fitness goals despite chronic illness.

The Impact of Athletes with MS on Public Perception and Research

The stories of these athletes and public figures living with MS have had a profound impact on both public perception of the condition and the direction of MS research and treatment. How have these individuals influenced our understanding of MS and its management?

Changing Perceptions

Athletes and public figures with MS have played a crucial role in reshaping societal views of the condition:

• Demonstrating that individuals with MS can lead active, fulfilling lives
• Challenging stereotypes about the limitations imposed by MS
• Raising awareness about the diverse ways MS can affect individuals

By sharing their stories and achievements, these individuals have helped to reduce stigma and promote understanding of MS among the general public.

Advancing Research and Treatment

The experiences and advocacy work of athletes with MS have also influenced the direction of MS research and treatment approaches:

• Promoting the exploration of exercise-based therapies for symptom management
• Encouraging research into personalized treatment approaches
• Raising funds for MS research through charitable foundations and events

The visibility of these athletes has helped to accelerate progress in MS research and treatment, potentially benefiting countless individuals living with the condition.

Inspiring Hope and Resilience

Perhaps the most significant impact of athletes with MS has been the hope and inspiration they provide to others living with the condition:

• Demonstrating that a diagnosis of MS does not define one’s potential
• Providing role models for individuals newly diagnosed with MS
• Encouraging others with MS to pursue their passions and goals

By sharing their stories of triumph over adversity, these athletes have empowered many in the MS community to approach their own challenges with renewed determination and optimism.

The stories of these seven athletes and public figures with MS serve as powerful reminders of the human capacity for resilience and achievement in the face of chronic illness. From Don McNeal’s transition from NFL star to MS advocate, to Josh Harding’s continued excellence in the NHL post-diagnosis, to Wendy Booker’s mountaineering feats, these individuals demonstrate that MS need not be a barrier to pursuing one’s passions and achieving remarkable goals.

Their experiences also highlight the importance of personalized approaches to managing MS, as each has found unique strategies to navigate the challenges posed by their condition. Whether through careful symptom management, lifestyle adjustments, or innovative treatment approaches, these athletes have shown that it’s possible to maintain high levels of physical performance and pursue demanding careers while living with MS.

Moreover, the advocacy work and public visibility of these individuals have played a crucial role in advancing MS research, raising awareness, and providing hope to others living with the condition. By sharing their stories and lending their voices to the cause, they have contributed to a broader understanding of MS and its impact, potentially improving outcomes for many in the MS community.

As we reflect on these inspiring stories, it’s clear that the impact of athletes with MS extends far beyond their individual achievements. They serve as beacons of hope, catalysts for change, and powerful reminders of the strength of the human spirit. Their legacies continue to inspire and guide both those living with MS and the broader community working to understand and treat this complex condition.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis: Don McNeal’s Story

Living with Multiple Sclerosis

“I have Multiple Sclerosis, but Multiple Sclerosis doesn’t have me.”  That quote comes from Don McNeal, a two time National College Football Champion (1978, 1979) who played for Alabama under coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.  McNeal spoke at the Multiple Sclerosis News and Views Conference in Huntsville, AL Thursday, 8-18-16 and shared how he and other athletes with multiple sclerosis struggled and cope with this debilitating disease.

Don McNeal’s Story

Born and raised in Atmore, AL native, McNeal was a star on the Escambia County High School football team.  After high school, he played football for Alabama University under coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.  In addition to helping his team win two National Championships, McNeal was Captain of the Team in 1979 then drafted as a defensive back by the Miami Dolphins in 1980. McNeal played in two Super Bowls with the Dolphins: Super Bowl XVII in January 1983 and Super Bowl XIX in January 1985. During those seasons, McNeal was named the Dolphins’ Player of the Year. He retired at the end of the 1989 season having played his entire pro career with the Dolphins. In 1992 he was selected as a member of the University of Alabama All-Centennial Team in 1992 and in 2008 was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Alabama.

Don McNeal, two time national championship winner, played for Alabama

After retirement from football, McNeal became actively involved in his community. He served as a drug-rehab counselor, teacher, coach, lay pastor, board member, and frequent public speaker. He was a pastor at New Testament Baptist Church in South Florida and speaker for Power Talent. To this day, he remains active with associations that assist youth and adults.

Discovering Multiple Sclerosis

McNeal was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014. Multiple Sclerosis is an incurable, auto-immune disease and that damages the myelin sheath surrounding sensory and motor nerve fibers. Depending on which nerves are affected, it can cause impairment in vision, sensation, strength, endurance and coordination.  It has begun to sap McNeal’s strength and coordination and he now uses a power scooter to assist with mobility.  McNeal believes repeated NFL concussions brought on his ailment.  He and a number of athletes with multiple sclerosis and other disorders suing the league for damages .  They are not looking for sympathy.  They want empathy.  “There are a lot of former players who are trying to do the right thing,” he said. “I hope the NFL will do right by us.”

Finding Hope

Huntsville MS Awareness Group meets with Don McNeal

McNeal spoke at the Huntsville Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Conference Thursday 8-18-16 .  His mission is to share hope and inspiration with those facing Multiple Sclerosis. “Coach Don Shula always told me no matter what, always show your class,” said McNeal.  That meant standing tall and facing what was to come with poise and grace.  “That’s what I’m trying to do here.”

McNeal, ever the optimist, refuses to feel down about it, but turns his energy toward helping others. A man of deep religious faith, he still spends three days a week at Dade Christian School in Miami Lakes.  “He has such a good spirit,” said McNeal’s wife Rhonda. “He never complains, and even picks me up when I have a bad day. His positive attitude is why everyone still wants him around here.”

Don McNeal raises funds for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Playing Hard: 3 Professional Athletes with MS – MS

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that does not discriminate and affects individuals of all ages, races and professions. While a diagnosis of MS can seem devastating, it does not have to stop you from living your life to the fullest and following your dreams. The following list of three professional athletes with MS proves that not only can individuals that suffer from MS lead normal, healthy lives but that they are also only limited by the scope of their imagination and ambition.

Josh Harding
Josh Harding is the goaltender for the Minnesota Wild hockey team. He started his professional career playing for the Houston Aeros in the American Hockey League in 2004. In 2006, he was moved to the Minnesota Wild hockey team. He was diagnosed with MS officially in November of 2012 after having kept the disease a secret for over a month. He has been playing with the NHL and the Minnesota Wild since his move to the team and Harding has received multiple awards during his career.       Rather than letting MS affect his performance, outlook or career, Josh Harding went on to have the best season of his career in the 2012-2013 year. Harding was the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2013. He also is the founder of a charity, called Harding’s Hope, that helps patients of MS pay for necessary medications.

Chris Wright
Chris Wright is a professional basketball player that currently plays for ASVEL Basket in the French league. Following his diagnosis, Wright became the first player in the history of the NBA known to have MS. Chris Wright has played for a number of teams including the New Orleans Hornets, the Iowa Energy and the Mavericks. He also played basketball in Turkey as part of the Turkish Basketball League. Wright was told while playing in Turkey, immediately following his diagnosis that his career was over. He was determined not to let his disease hold him back and went on to spend a season with the Dallas Mavericks. He also signed short-term contracts with the San Antonio Spurs and the Brooklyn Nets before signing his current contract with the ASVEL Basket in France. Wright credits being an athlete and living a healthy, active lifestyle to a major part of his success in managing MS.

Kelly Sutton
NASCAR driver Kelly Sutton was diagnosed with MS well before her career as a professional race car driver began. Kelly started racing cars at the young age of 10 and was diagnosed at the age of 16. Kelly Sutton was the first known NASCAR driver to have the disease, Trevor Bane was diagnosed in 2013 with MS. Kelly Sutton did not let her MS diagnosis at 16 change her dreams and she began her professional career in 1992 at Old Dominion Speedway. Kelly holds the record for the most races run by a female in the Craftsman Truck series and she has also won awards including Most Popular Driver at both Old Dominion Speedway and at the Allison Legacy Series. In addition to Most Popular Driver, Kelly was the first woman to win the Allison Legacy Series in 1997. Though Sutton’s last race was in 2007, she continues work on her charity, the Let It Shine Foundation which is dedicated to raising awareness for and helping those affected with MS.

These three accomplished professional athletes are just a small sample of people with MS who have done incredibly things. Living a health and active lifestyle helps to manage systems and can help you to achieve your dreams. 

How I became a para athlete

When I was 13, my body started to go numb and my vision got blurry. I didn’t pay much attention to it, because as a kid these things don’t bother you. The GP told me I had a throat infection and gave me some antibiotics.

The next day my symptoms got lots worse and my mum took me to A&E. I had a stroke and was put into a coma. I remember waking up afterwards not being able to move and dribbling into a vomit bowl. I was terrified.

I was rushed to different hospitals for tests. I remember crying as I said goodbye to my dad from inside an ambulance. I thought this was the last time I’d see him.

An MRI scan and lumbar puncture confirmed it was MS. I still feel the pain of that needle entering my spine. I didn’t know what MS was. My neurologist gave me a comic called ‘MEDIKIDZ’ and I started to do research online.

My brother and sister came to visit every now and then, and we’d play pool and table football. My symptoms eased off and I could walk slowly with my mother’s help. I was really wobbly at first.

I started to recover from the vision troubles and weakness in my left side, so I was discharged.

Back to school

About two months after my diagnosis, I was back on my feet and carrying on with my daily life. I carried on being who I was and didn’t considering myself as an MS ‘sufferer’.

My school was great – my walking was slow, so they let me leave class five minutes early to get to the next lesson and take extra time at lunch to take my medication.

When I got better, I started to do athletics. I competed for my school in the 100m and placed 4th with a time of 11.6 – I was really happy.

I saw potential in myself and really wanted to improve, so I joined Connie Henry’s Track Academy. It helped me to grow – both as an athlete and as a person. The club felt like a second home. Somewhere I could train and socialise with other athletes.

I was lucky not to have another relapse until I turned. I was rushed to hospital and given steroids through a drip. I hate needles!

The left side of my body was all frozen for days, paralysed and cold. It felt worse than frostbite. I was so cold that I slept with wearing three pyjamas and five socks on my left foot. Brrr!

Training hard

With the help of a great friend and athlete Lumar, I started to get my strength back. He encouraged me and we worked together to get me where I needed to be. Thanks to him, I recovered and felt stronger than ever.

All the training paid off and the next year I ran two personal bests in the 100m and 200m.

Now I train six times a week. I do track training with an academy and strength and conditioning training. The stronger I get the better I feel about my MS.

My vision is basically blurred. It’s really hard not being able to see clearly during training. I find it hard to see facial expressions or even hurdles or cones, but I feel better than ever.

Racing on the world stage

When the 2016 Olympics arrived, Lumar insisted that I get classified to compete internationally. I followed his advice and got classified as a national T38.

In December, I was rushed to hospital – this time for emergency hernia surgery, but I got better quickly. Four months later I went to Dubai to compete for Great Britain at the international Grand Prix. I won my 100m final race.

I’m now training for my next competition – I’ll be competing for Team GB at the world para juniors in Switzerland.

I really want to go out and do my best. I can’t come back home with a silver or bronze. It has to be gold for me. I’ve worked for it and I’m the fastest junior in the world this year, so why not?

Next stop Usain Bolt speed. Wish me luck!

> Find out more about exercise and MS.

Josh Harding: Athletes with multiple sclerosis face particular challenges

For athletes like Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding, a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis is particularly challenging.

MS is an autoimmune disease caused when myelin — the protective coating of nerve cells — is attacked, disrupting the electrical signals from the brain that sends messages to various parts of the body. Symptoms are varied but include muscle weakness, loss of coordination and blurred vision.

5 common questions about MS

Harding, who was diagnosed with MS last year, was a last-minute replacement for Niklas Backstrom for the opening playoff game Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite not having had a start in the past two months, the 28-year-old Regina native acquitted himself well, stopping 35 shots. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Blackhawks, who won 2-1 in overtime.

NHL playoffs: Blackhawks win opener in OT

Dr. Paul O’Connor, director of the MS clinic at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, one of the largest in North America, said the disease impacts athletics in a specific way.

“MS can have a major impact on athletes, depending on the severity of the condition. MS is usually associated with fatigue and reduced endurance. It can also be associated with physical disability such as weakness, numbness, altered vision and decreased balance. Mood can also be affected. All of these factors can affect athletic performance. So it is a matter of how severe the MS is and partly how one responds to it,” O’Connor said.

He noted that being physically fit can mitigate the impact of the disease.

“Physical fitness makes one the ‘best that one can be.’ It improves mood and enhances quality of life. It might slow disability increases over time but this has not been proven,” O’Connor added.

There are treatments for MS that can be taken orally or by injection, O’Connor said, noting there are new injection therapies “that hold promise.”

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For Runner With M.S., No Pain While Racing, No Feeling at the Finish

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — When a pack of whip-thin girls zipped across the finish of the 1,600-meter race at a recent track meet here, the smallest runner’s legs wobbled like rubber, and she flopped into her waiting coach’s arms. She collapses every time she races.

Kayla Montgomery, 18, was found to have multiple sclerosis three years ago. Defying most logic, she has gone on to become one of the fastest young distance runners in the country — one who cannot stay on her feet after crossing the finish line.

Because M.S. blocks nerve signals from Montgomery’s legs to her brain, particularly as her body temperature increases, she can move at steady speeds that cause other runners pain she cannot sense, creating the peculiar circumstance in which the symptoms of a disease might confer an athletic advantage.

But intense exercise can also trigger weakness and instability; as Montgomery goes numb in races, she can continue moving forward as if on autopilot, but any disruption, like stopping, makes her lose control.

“When I finish, it feels like there’s nothing underneath me,” Montgomery said. “I start out feeling normal and then my legs gradually go numb. I’ve trained myself to think about other things while I race, to get through. But when I break the motion, I can’t control them and I fall.”

At the finish of every race, she staggers and crumples. Before momentum sends her flying to the ground, her coach braces to catch her, carrying her aside as her competitors finish and her parents swoop in to ice her legs. Minutes later, sensation returns and she rises, ready for another chance at forestalling a disease that one day may force her to trade the track for a wheelchair. M.S. has no cure.

Last month, Montgomery, a senior at Mount Tabor High School, won the North Carolina state title in the 3,200 meters. Her time of 10 minutes 43 seconds ranks her 21st in the country. Her next major competition is the 5,000 meters at the national indoor track championships in New York on March 14, when she hopes to break 17 minutes.

Her trajectory as a distance runner has been unusually ascendant.

“When she was diagnosed, she said to me, ‘Coach, I don’t know how much time I have left, so I want to run fast — don’t hold back,’ ” said Patrick Cromwell, Montgomery’s coach. “That’s when I said, ‘Wow, who are you?’ ”

At the time, Montgomery was one of the slowest on her team, completing her first 5-kilometer race in 24:29; by last November, she had run a 17:22, placing 11th in the regional qualifier for the Foot Locker national cross-country championships.

The diagnosis of M.S. came after Montgomery could not feel her legs after she fell playing soccer and shocks ran up her spine. She was on Mount Tabor’s junior varsity cross-country team and told her coach that her legs went numb when she ran.

“I said, ‘Well, sweetie, that’s kind of how running is, you feel the pain and then you don’t, you just have to push through,’ ” Cromwell said. “But she said ‘No, they stay numb.’ I knew that wasn’t normal, and that’s when the doctor visits started.”

A magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed six lesions on Montgomery’s brain and spine. With treatment, she went into remission and resumed racing.

Because Montgomery has played down her condition, few people understand her unusual racing finishes. In the national indoor 5,000-meter championship last year, officials forgot to catch her and she fell on her face, lying prostrate on the track until someone carried her away. Announcers speculated that she had a seizure. Some assume she is fainting. Others, she said, have simply called her a wimp.

She dismisses the attention.

“I didn’t want to be treated differently, and I didn’t want to be looked at differently,” she said.

In many ways, Montgomery’s life resembles that of an ordinary high school track athlete. Before every race, she puts on the same lucky green sports bra and size 5 ½ racing flats that carry her 5-foot-1 frame. She is deeply involved with her Methodist church, along with her younger sister and her parents, a nursing student and a pesticide salesman. She carries a 4.70 grade-point average and logs 50 miles a week.

Though examples of elite athletes with M.S. are scarce, some have speculated that Montgomery’s racing-induced numbness lends a competitive edge, especially given the improvement in her times since the diagnosis.

“The disease has no potential to make her physically more competitive,” said her neurologist, Lucie Lauve, who also said she did not know precisely why Montgomery collapsed after races. “If M.S. has made her a better athlete, I believe it is a mental edge.”

Cromwell, Montgomery’s coach, said he thought that insensitivity to the pain of distance racing could be marginally advantageous.

“I think there’s a benefit to numbness,” he said. “I don’t know anyone in their right mind, though, who would trade this; who would say, ‘Give me M.S. so I have a little bit of numbness after Mile 2.’ But I think that’s when she gets her strength.”

The numbness is particularly dire for midrace falls. At her state cross-country meet last year, she clipped the heel of a fellow runner in the lead pack and crashed. Facedown with her legs splayed, she could not get up. Runners sprinted by, and she slipped from all-state contention. Seeing a rival pass was enough to get her to use a nearby fence to pull herself up and cruise into 10th place.

It was a lesson in resilience. “Now I know I can do it,” she said. “It may take a little while, but if I fall, I know I can get up.”

Exercise is commonly recommended for M.S. patients, and Montgomery’s doctor has cleared her for racing. However, some experts worry pushing to the point of collapse could have long-term drawbacks.

“When you push to your limit, your body usually sends pain signals to warn you that you’re damaging tissues,” said Dr. Peter Calabresi, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Johns Hopkins. He has not treated Montgomery.

“Pushing that limit is what endurance sports are all about. But if you can’t feel those signals and push from tingling to extreme or prolonged numbness, you could be doing damage that we won’t even know about until down the road. It’s a paradox.”

College recruitment has been another challenge, Montgomery said. When coaches called, she told them she had M.S., and they told her it was not a problem. “But then they didn’t call back,” she said.

Lipscomb University in Tennessee was an exception. She will enroll there this fall on a scholarship.

Montgomery is closing out a high school career that is consistently improving.

“I make myself do it,” she said. “I tell myself, ‘I know you’re tired and you can’t feel anything and it’s hard but you’re going to finish this.’ And then I do.”

Running With Multiple Sclerosis – Cheryl Hile Marathon Runner

Cheryl Hile, now 45, first started running back in 1996 after gaining weight during college. She did it to lose weight, and also to bond with her boyfriend at the time, Brian Hile—now her husband—who was also a runner.

She remembers him coming home after a marathon feeling that mix of soreness and elation, and she realized she wanted in on those long distances, too.

So in 2000, she signed up for her first race—and it was a full marathon.

“I wanted to feel that soreness!” Hile tells Runner’s World with a laugh. “Training was very difficult, but at mile 16 of the race, I just realized this is so awesome.”

[Smash your goals with a Runner’s World Training Plan, designed for any speed and any distance.]

Her competitive attitude has been a blessing, as it has helped her get through the ups and downs of a decade-plus battle with multiple sclerosis, a condition of the central nervous system which leads to communication problems between your brain and body. Through her diagnosis and beyond, she’s continued to use running as a way to stay grounded.

Fighting for a Diagnosis

In January of 2006, Hile had just completed the Phoenix Rock ’N’ Roll Marathon when she started experiencing some alarming symptoms: Electric shocks ran down her shoulders, from her ears to her knees to her back.

“They were so painful, and I also experienced a lot of numbness,” she says.

Her primary care doctor (PCP), who was also a sports specialist, thought the symptoms were just due to a pinched nerve, and wrote her a prescription for a nerve-numbing medication. But as months passed, the electric shocks and the pain got worse.

Hile eventually had an electromyography (EMG) to test for nerve conduction, which came back abnormal, and was referred to a general neurologist. The doctor ordered an MRI scan.

The results showed many lesions in her brain, and two in her cervical spine.

“The neurologist was still not convinced I had MS because I was a runner and very active—at that time, MS patients were commonly using wheelchairs, canes and walkers,” she says.

She fought to see an MS specialist, who confirmed what he thought with a spinal tap. Ten months after her symptoms first appeared, she finally had a diagnosis: multiple sclerosis.

“Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system attacks myelin, the coating on nerves of the brain, spinal cord and nerves to the eyes, disrupting signals from the brain and spinal cord to the body resulting, in symptoms such as numbness and weakness,” says Barry Singer, M.D., neurologist and director of the MS Center for Innovations in Care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The autoimmune disease affects nearly one million people in the U.S., and woman are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with it—and most who are diagnosed are between the ages of 20 and 50.

Before her MS diagnosis, Hile had already run 13 marathons. She was terrified of how MS would change her life—especially the running part.

“I was so shocked by the news,” she says. “Back then, I didn’t know anything about MS, and there wasn’t as much information available. I thought I was going to get every single horrible symptom.”

Hile says she became depressed, and her neurologist feared she might become suicidal. She prescribed antidepressants, but Hile credits continuing to stay active with really helping her overcome her fear and anger.

“My husband really encouraged me to keep on running and exercising,” she says. “Moving made me feel so much better about myself and raised my spirits—I was addicted to the runner’s high.”

The benefit is not just anecdotal, though—staying active is one of the most important treatments for patients with MS.

“Exercise is critical for brain health. Since the central nervous system—brain and spinal cord—is under attack in MS, preserving the brain’s back-up reserves is critical, and a routine exercise regimen can help,” says Singer. “For people with very mild or no disability, running is an awesome option. I have a wide spectrum of runners living with MS in my practice, from casual joggers to marathon runners.”

Running With MS

Today, she runs every other day, and on days when her MS symptoms flare—when she experiences things like electric shocks or numbness—she opts for the elliptical or bike. She’s also added in more weight lifting and exercises using a wobble board to help with balance issues, common in people with MS.

“The hard part with MS is not knowing how my body will react when I wake up in the morning,” she says. “Sometimes I wake up and I’m physically tired, so I have to adjust my training.”

She struggles with brain fog and mental fatigue along with the physical issues: Her right leg muscles have atrophied, and she has a drop foot—caused by two lesions in the nerve fibers of her cervical spine, which mess with the electrical impulses from her brain to her right shin.

“When I run, that electrical impulse is not rapid enough to lift my foot,” she explains. “As a result, my foot drops and drags, and I end up tripping over my own toes.”

To fight that, she wears a carbon-composite ankle-foot orthotic that helps her gait and prevent falls, and pushes off with the left side of her body while her right side follows along.

“My husband runs on my right side to keep me on a straight vector otherwise, because of my ineffective right side, I tend to drift to the right,” she says.

Before MS, Hile was running marathons around 4:10, and now she runs them around the 5:00 mark. Her husband now runs alongside her in races to help manage her pace, hydration, and balance. He also opens GU packets or water bottles for her when she needs them, since she has lost some mobility in her arms.

“I’ve adopted the run-walk method during my races, and it’s helped keep me in the game,” she says. She wears an extra-wide shoe that fits her leg brace, the Saucony Hurricanes, and sticks with moisture-wicking clothes that help keep her cool. (Another symptom of MS is heat intolerance.)

Rachel Hatch Photography

Hile has learned to find a new normal when it comes to running with MS.

“When I started tripping and falling, I went to my neurologist, and her words were to lower your expectations. That really hurt,” she says. “But from that day forward my mantra has been, ‘I do what I can and I never give up.’ Even if I have those bad MS days, I still do it, I still go.”

MS-related fatigue has made marathons more challenging lately, and she isn’t sure how much longer she can continue with the 26.2.

“MS fatigue makes all my symptoms worse; my foot drags more, my right leg feels heavier to lift, the neuropathic pain is stronger and more frequent, and I’m not as mentally strong as before,” she says. “It becomes harder to ‘tough it out’. My mantra is to never give up, but sometimes the pain and fatigue break me down and I just want to stop. That is when a walk break is in order and a pep talk from my husband is much needed.”

She’s already purchased a road bike in anticipation for when she’ll need more days off from running.

[Smash your goals with a Runner’s World Training Plan, designed for any speed and any distance.]

But she’s already accomplished some pretty major goals while running with MS: For one, she is the first person with MS to run a marathon on all seven continents, a feat she accomplished from September 2016 to September 2017.

And through running, she’s been able to raise awareness for MS by partnering with the MS MindShift campaign, which aims to educate people with MS on what they can do to keep their brain as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Still, she’s not ready to hang up her running shoes just yet: This fall, she will run the Richmond Marathon for the second year in a row on the team she helped create, Team Run A Myelin My Shoes, which raises money for MS awareness and research. Last year, the team had 55 physical and virtual members, and this year, the team already has 100 members. (You can join the team here).

“With MS, there are a lot of uncertainties. It’s changed my whole life. But I’ve found running has elevated my body, my brain and my spirit,” she says. “And it’s helped me accomplish what I’ve set out to do—rather than mourn the things I’ve lost, I treasure what I still can do.”

Emily Shiffer
Emily Shiffer is a former digital web producer for Men’s Health and Prevention, and is currently a freelancer writer specializing in health, weight loss, and fitness.

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Mississippi bans transgender athletes from women’s sports – The Campus

This past Sunday, Governor Tate Reeves (R-MS) signed a bill that banned transgender athletes from participating in girl’s and women’s sports in Missisippi. Barring a successful legal challenge, this Senate bill will be written into law on July 1, according to USA Today.

This bill is thought to be a response to President Biden’s executive order signed on Jan. 20 to combat gender discrimination. Mississippi became first state to enact a ban on transgender athletes. Besides Mississippi, over 20 states across the country have varying degrees of restrictions on athletes aimed at minors who identify as transgender.

Raegan Myers, ’23, expressed disgust towards the new Mississippi legislation.

“I was not surprised, but I was very, very sad,” Myers said. “I think it’s just another example of how blatantly transphobic the southern part of America is.”

Marshall Ramos, ’24, a member of Allegheny’s All Gender Equity Society, and a transgender man also expressed his disagreement towards the bill.

“Mississippi made a choice that goes against Title IX, and for me that’s very disturbing because it’s a federal law meant to protect students,” Ramos said. “I understand the controversial nature of it, but this law poses a danger to transgender students.”

Ramos is referring to Title IX within the Education Amendments of 1972. This section of the Amendment states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Ian Eggert, ’23, also supports Title IX and agrees that transgender minors should be able to compete in girls’ sports.

“I believe that lower-risk and lower competition sports like high school and elementary school should allow transgender athletes to play,” Eggert said. “But once it becomes more of a monetary or financial gain for people, then more research needs to be done before making a decision.”

A Duke Law study compared men’s records to the best women’s track records. For example, over 10,000 men beat the women’s 100 meter dash record of 10.78 seconds. The study also deduced that there is a 10-12% performance gap between elite male athletes and elite female athletes. The competitive gap is less between non-elite male athletes and female athletes, but once again men outperform women in track and field.

After learning about the Duke Law study, Eggert continued to hold the same opinion about lower-level competition, but supports the bill to an extent for more highly touted athletic competitions.

“To a certain degree, I believe the bill just because how much more developed and how many more records could be broken when transgender women play against (cisgender) women.” Eggert said. “However, you can have someone (who transitioned) when they were young and played men’s or women’s sports their entire life; I believe the development would be a little different for them.”

Ramos also noted how the situation is different between male and female athletes at the Olympic level, compared to lower-level athletics.

“Looking at Olympic athletes versus college or high school athletes, it’s hard to generalize there because of the ability difference,” Ramos said. “Also, at the Olympic level, we should expect the athletes to have the money for testosterone blockers and some of the chemical changes that go with the transition from male to female.”

Testosterone levels have been a factor for sports organization determining whether or not transgender women can play women’s sports. The Guardian published an article exploring a study conducted by the British Journal of Medicine, which found that the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines of transgender women waiting one year post-transition was too soon.

Yet two years post transition, transgender women held a lower competitve advantage against cisgender women. Still, they held a 12% advantage against their Olympic peers two years post-transition. The IOC will continue to rework their framework to include guidelines of gender identity, while also advocating for fair competition.

“

Mississippi made a choice that goes against Title IX, and for me that’s very disturbing becuase it’s a federal law meant to protect students.”

— Marshall Ramos, Class of 2024

Regardless, measuring athletic potential solely upon testosterone levels may be problematic. For instance, Caster Semenya is an intersex cisgender woman and Olympic gold medalist. Because Semenya is an intersex woman, she produces more testosterone than her co-competitors, but she will have to undergo surgery or take hormones to lower her testosterone to continue her career.

In The Conversation, Julian Savulescu, professor of biomedical ethics at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute  elaborated on how testosterone may not be the best way to gauge athletic capability.

“Semenya’s best time is only two percent faster than her competitors,” Savulescu stated. “It is not possible to determine how much of this two percent is testosterone, and how much is due to other factors about her as an athlete, or her psychology.”

The discussion to allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports is still an ongoing issue among athletics. Even though this discussion is polarizing, Ramos remains hopeful that there can be some common ground on the issue.

“There definitely has to be some thought about the advantage transgender women have,” Ramos said. “But there also needs to be consideration that these women are human.”

Masters of Sports of Russia (MS and MSMK)

Is boxing MC difficult?

One of the most prestigious sports categories is the Master of Sports, in boxing this category indicates the high technical potential of the athlete, as well as successful performances at tournaments within the country and international championships.

Achieving high results in boxing is possible only with regular visits to the boxing section

, under the guidance of a specialized boxing trainer who has sufficient experience and skills in boxing training.

Boxing is a sport for the strong in spirit and purposeful

Boxing is a very strict sport, but the training of athletes is one of the most diverse due to the main criterion that boxers develop, namely endurance. To complete the rank of Master of Sports (MS), you need to go a long way of training, sparring and competition.

Mastery tournaments receive a lot of attention, there must be a certain number of Masters of Sports among the participants, such tournaments have been classified as “Class A”.

for women

become 1st or 2nd in the national championship (have at least 3 fights)

win the Russian Boxing Cup (fight at least 3 fights)

win any championship of the Federal Districts, or the championships of Moscow or St. Petersburg (have at least 3 fights)

men

become 1st or 2nd in the Russian Boxing Cup (fight at least 3 fights)

Win an All-Russian tournament included in the EKP Rossport (fight at least 3 fights)

to become 1st or 2nd at any championship of the Federal Districts, or at the championships of Moscow or St. Petersburg (have at least 3 fights)

MS is also awarded for taking first place at the world and European championships among juniors, a similar situation among older boxers.

Among men, Masters of Sports are given for the 4th and 5th place in the World Championship, as well as if he takes from 1st to 8th place in the Olympic tournament, but as a rule, athletes who are part of the national team countries and perform at such championships already have the category of Master of Sports in boxing.

Achieve boxing success with the Drummer’s team

The Drumnik Boxing Club, through an experienced coaching staff, has brought up a large number of CCMs and MSs in boxing, an individual approach to each athlete, as well as a favorable environment in each hall of this club contribute to the full development of athletes and a rapid increase in efficiency in the ring.Taking into account the great experience and regular tournaments and open rings in the Udarnik club, everyone can get a good experience in boxing in the close-knit and friendly team of the club.

The best sportsmen – SSHOR №2

Furazhkin Victor – Honored Master of Sports, six-time world champion in powerlifting 1999-2005, seven-time European champion, two-time winner of the World Games; multiple champion and winner of the Championships and Cups of Russia.

Malyarenko Alexey – Master of Sports of international class in powerlifting, two-time champion of Russia 1999-2001., winner and prize-winner of Russian Cups 1996-2000, participant of the European Championship 2001;

Khakimov Igor – Master of Sports of international class in powerlifting, Winner of the Russian Cup 1997 – 1998, multiple medalist of the Championships and Cups of Russia 1995 – 1999.

Batiev Valeriy – Master of Sports of Russia in weightlifting, Champion of Russia in weightlifting 2006, multiple winner of the Championships and Cups of Russia 2003-2006.

Zvyagintsev Andrey – Master of Sports of international class in powerlifting, two-time winner of the World Championship among juniors 1998-1999; Winner of the European Championship among juniors in 1999; winner of the Championship of Russia among youths and juniors 1998 – 1999.

Zvyagintsev Anatoly – International Master of Sports in powerlifting. Winner of the Russian Championship among juniors in 2000, Champion of Russia in bench press in 2000, Winner of the Cup of Russia in 2001, participant in the European Championship in bench press in 2001, multiple medalist of the Championships and Cups of Russia in 2001 – 2003.

Burtsev Evgeniy – Master of Sports of International Class in Powerlifting, winner of the Russian Championship among youth 2000 U18

Polkanov Andrey – Master of Sports of Russia in powerlifting, bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among youths under 18 in 2000

Bedoidze Victoria – Master of Sports of international class in powerlifting, Bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among girls under 18 2001, Winner of the Russian Championship 2004, Winner of the World Championship among girls under 18 2003, 2004

Sergeeva Irina – Master of Sports of Russia in powerlifting, bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among girls under 18 years of age 2004, participant of the World Championship under 18 years old 2004

Pakholkova Nadezhda – Master of Sports of Russia in weightlifting. Silver medalist of the Russian Weightlifting Championship among girls under 18 years of age 2000, bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among youth in 2003, bronze medalist of the Russian Cup among women 2005

Kostin Evgeniy – International Master of Sports in weightlifting, silver medalist of the 2008 Russian Cup

Vasev Alexander – Master of Sports of international class in powerlifting, winner and medalist of the Russian Championships among juniors 2013-2014, bronze medalist of the World Championships among juniors 2013.

Pavel Panyukov – Master of Sports of Russia in weightlifting, bronze medalist of the 2014 Russian Cup

Krylova Victoria – candidate master of sports in boxing, winner of the World Championship 2011, medalist of the Championships and Cups of Russia in 2014, 2016, 2017 Member of the Russian national team 2018

Bratus Ekaterina – Master of Sports of international class in powerlifting, Winner and medalist of the Championships of Russia 2009 – 2014, medalist and winner of the European Championships among juniors 2010-2013., winner of the World Championship in classic powerlifting in 2014. Bronze medalist of the Russian Championship in 2017, champion of Russia in 2018, bronze medalist of the European Championship in 2018. Member of the Russian national team in 2018.

Tsebenko Efim – Master of Sports of Russia in powerlifting, bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among youths 2012 – 2013, silver medalist of the European Championship among youths 2012

Evdokimova Ir IN – Master of Sports of Russia in weightlifting, bronze medalist of the Russian Youth Championship 2013

Lisitsa Matvey – candidate master of sports in freestyle wrestling, winner and prize-winner of the All-Russian and international competitions among youths in 2014-2017, winner of the 2015 Russian Championship among youths under 15 years old.

Malyshev Roman – candidate master of sports in freestyle wrestling, winner and medalist of the All-Russian competitions among youths and juniors 2014 – 2018.

Pushkin Alexei – Master of Sports of Russia in freestyle wrestling, winner and prize-winner of the All-Russian competitions among youths and juniors 2014 – 2016.

Abdukhaliyev Marat – candidate master of sports in freestyle wrestling, bronze medalist of the 2015 Russian Championship among boys under 15.

Lyashenko Andrey – Master of Sports of Russia in weightlifting, bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among youths under 18 in 2015, bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among juniors under 20 years of age 2017. Member of the Russian national team among youth in 2018.

Shibanova Maria – candidate master of sports in freestyle wrestling, silver medalist of the 2016 Russian Championship. among girls under 16 years old.

Anna Rekachinskaya – candidate master of sports in powerlifting, bronze medalist of the 2017 Russian Championship among girls under 18, Winner of the 2018 Russian Championship.in classic powerlifting among girls under 18 years old.

Malyarenko Vladislav – Master of Sports of Russia in powerlifting, bronze medalist of the 2017 Russian Championship among juniors under 23.

Isakova Ekaterina – Master of Sports of Russia in weightlifting, bronze medalist of the 2017 Russian Championship among juniors under 20. Member of the Russian national youth team 2018

Vasilyeva Margarita – Master of Sports of international class in powerlifting, silver medalist of the 2017 European Championship among juniors under 23, winner of the 2018 Russian Championship among juniors, silver medalist of the 2018 European Championship

Veible Artem – Master of Sports of Russia in powerlifting, bronze medalist of the 2014 Russian Championship among boys aged 14-18, winner of the Russian Championship 2018 among juniors 19-23 years old

Athletes Database | REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE FEDERATION OF DANCE SPORT AND ACROBATIC ROCK-N-ROLL IN KRASNODAR REGION

Athletes of St. Petersburg :: Powerlifting Federation of St. Petersburg