Walkers face a giant feat with their feet
Participate in annual Multiple Sclerosis Walk to fundraise for a cure
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer
Jackie Johnson had been a walker and a jogger during her life, active for the most part.

Then she went from being an "able-bodied woman" to a woman with a disability.

Johnson was diagnosed in 1997 with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disease that affects the nervous system. Therefore, she served as the ambassador for the 20th annual MS Walk, held in and around Babbage Park in North Brunswick on Sunday.

She cut the ceremonial ribbon at the beginning of the walk, cheered people on along the route and then handed out awards afterward.

Yet even such simple tasks can be difficult, because Jackson must use a wheelchair to get around. However, she refuses to let this inhibit her.

"Over the years this has been a huge challenge for me, but challenges are what motivate me to succeed. My belief is that 'without struggle there is no stride,' and despite my health condition I have made many strides in my life," she said.

Jackson was one of hundreds of participants at the North Brunswick walk, which raised $50,000. About $1.3 million was raised at all nine mid-Jersey chapter sites in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The event is especially important to the South Plainfield resident, because despite dealing with her own strife, her daughter also lives with the disease. She said this causes more of a struggle, but also helps them bond and grow together.

"My daughter is currently not on any of the preventive medications, by her choice. It's a struggle for me to see her not take the medication, but it's her choice. My daughter and I are naturally close, so every experience is a bonding experience. She sees my struggle and is always there for me and she is my earth angel and shining star," Jackson said. "She understands the disease and knows when I have good and bad days and looks for signs in her own health to decide whether she should move forward with medications. Thankfully, she has shown no symptoms and her follow-ups show no signs of progression."

As this obviously makes life tough, Jackson still decides to have a positive attitude and take each day at a time.

"Prayer and faith get me through each day and help me to maintain a positive attitude. I refuse to let MS defeat or define me and I have adopted a motto that 'a disease is only temporary dis-ease' and I have shaped my life around this motto," she said.

She hopes that other people in her or similar situations react the same way.

"It is important for people living with disabilities to keep going on with their life and to not give up because they have a diagnosed disability. Disability is only part of their lives and to have a disability one must have great faith and it is important to not let anything or anyone disable you, defeat you or define you with negativity," she said.

The National MS Society (NMSS) funds research and provides financial assistance and programs for patients and their families. Every hour someone is diagnosed with MS, and over 13,000 people are diagnosed in New Jersey alone, according to the NMSS.

"For those of us who are unable to walk, you are our legs, you help make us whole, you can make the difference in our lives," Jackson said.

In addition to the walk, the "Coast the Coast" bike tour began in 1991 and will be held in May.

For more information, to register, or to donate, call (732) 660-1005 or 1 (800) FIGHT MS or visit nationalmssociety.org.