News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Local & Bistate

August 18, 2012

Multiple sclerosis patient hosting benefit for National MS Society

ROSEDALE — By tomorrow morning, Teri Altman will be one weary woman.

“Sunday I’ll wake up and not be able to move, but it’ll be worth it,” the 50-year-old multiple sclerosis sufferer said. “This is close to my heart.”

Teri, her family and friends, will come together for the 2nd Multiple Sclerosis Benefit today at the Rosedale Tavern, 93 W. Middle St. beginning at 4 p.m. Homemade Beef Manhattan, mashed potatoes and green beans will be served for $6 a plate, and live music from Abyss will begin at 9 p.m. Raffles are planned throughout the day, with “Your Height in tickets” available for $20, or individually at $1 each.

All proceeds go to the National MS Society, an organization with which Teri has become very close since her diagnosis in 1999.

“Last year I raised about $600, so I’m hoping to raise $800 this year,” she said Friday afternoon inside her home.

Teri recalled the day some 13 years ago when she woke up unable to move, unable to go to work at Kroger. Her daughter Kayla, then 10 years old, had to call her mother to take her to the hospital. She’d been diagnosed earlier with “acute migraines,” something she and doctors passed off to her status as a single mother working two jobs. Much about MS remains to be discovered, she said, explaining that as a primary reason to help fund research.

“Hopefully we’ll find a cure one day, or at least find out what causes it,” she said, adding 12 people her age suffer from MS in the town of Rosedale, the population of which is less than 400.

According to the National MS Society’s website, multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease which attacks the central nervous system comprising the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Symptoms range from mild numbness in the limbs to complete paralysis.

Kayla, now a 23-year-old Indiana State University student, said the National MS Society provides a number of educational workshops for children with affected parents.

“It’s definitely a big stress on the family,” she said, noting she had to “grow up” fast, beginning work at the age of 14 to help pay household bills.

Teri, who is unable to work, said she hates her wheelchair and tries to walk as much as possible.

“Some days are good, others are not. I fall a lot and lose my balance,” she said.

Headaches are very common and she occasionally has trouble speaking, but none of that will prevent her from cooking today as she prepares food for the fund raiser.

Her mother, Shirley, said the family has participated in Wabash Valley’s annual MS Walk each year since the diagnosis, her daughter laboring through each step of the one mile trek.

“She’s been such a trooper,” she said, pointing to more than a dozen participation medals.

Teri said the family will participate again this year at the event scheduled for Sept. 15 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. The support of family and friends has been instrumental in her success over the years, she said, adding it helps to keep her strong.

“I’m determined,” she said.

Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.



The Benefit

• The 2nd Annual Multiple Sclerosis Benefit kicks off today at 4 p.m. at the Rosedale

Tavern, 93 W. Middle St. Live music will be performed by Abyss from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.



The Walk

• The Walk MS: Wabash Valley is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

College beginning at 9 a.m.

 

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