
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 25, 1992                   TAG: 9203250364
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TV MOVIE ON MS SHOWED ONLY WORST

I AM a 38-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis, and I am mad. When I heard the movie "In Sickness and in Health" would be on television, I thought it was good to bring some recognition to people with this terrible disease.

I could not believe what I saw. They only showed the worst possible case. I have had MS for 18 years and am not even close to being in the shape the main character was in.

I have my problems, but I live a perfectly normal, happy life. I have never been in a wheelchair. I am not the most graceful person in the world, but there are many people much worse off than I who do not have MS.

The movie led people to believe you couldn't have children. I have two beautiful children who are the joy of my life.

When you are told you have MS, believe me, you are terrified; but you have to tell yourself that you'll be all right and to accept it. Don't worry about what might happen, because it might not. Only 30 percent of people with MS end up totally incapacitated.

Be strong! Your family and friends are there for you. Think positive: You don't have to look too hard to find someone who is worse off than you. SALLEY MURPHY HUDDLESTON

by CNB