More MS news articles for June 2004

Racing Against MS

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23607-2004Jun7.html

Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Michael Williamson
The Washington Post

At 16, Kelly Sutton was on her way to becoming a professional race-car driver, just like her dad and grandfather. Then she began feeling fatigue and numbness on her right side. Tests revealed that she had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

"I was devastated," said Sutton, now 32. "I didn't want the disease to shatter my dreams." Various therapies had only mixed results, and she spent almost all of 1996 in a wheelchair. Then she began a regimen of diet, exercise and the drug Copaxone.

Sutton now drives a 2004 Chevy Silverado in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Her race suit and truck both sport Team Copaxone logos, named for her major sponsor.

Her daughters, Ashlee, 14 and Nicole, 9, both "think it's cool" that Mom is a race-car driver. And Sutton, who often hits 190 mph, has this advice for others with MS: "Be proactive with your disease. Work with your doctor. Be flexible. Your dreams may need to be adjusted, but they need not die."