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Lori Schneider is motivated by her desire to inspire and help
people with MS and other life challenges. "I want to help
people move beyond their limitations and the labels that
prevent them from living their dreams," she says. Lori's symptoms and vision problems come and go, and she's
grateful that her symptoms have abated in recent years. "At
first I saw my MS diagnosis as devastating," says Lori. "Now I see that it has been a positive catalyst in my life
and moved me closer to living my dreams. My mission is to
give hope to others who are living with this condition." In
presentations to school children, she defines MS as meaning
"mostly strong."
MS affects many people worldwide
Lori Schneider was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
(MS) in 1999, after the left side of her body became numb
overnight. The diagnosis was terrifying, and the memories
of those first days, weeks and months inspired her Seven
Summits quest. As she trained and summited those
peaks, Lori conquered her own “mountain” of feelings about
life with MS, and has given hope to other MS patients.
According to the
National MS Society,
MS is a condition that attacks nerve cells in the brain,
spinal cord and optic nerves. It can cause numbness,
blurred vision and blindness, loss of balance, tremors,
extreme fatigue, poor coordination, slurred speech, memory
and concentration problems and more.
The symptoms may come and go, or be
permanent. Regardless of a patient’s current health,
knowing that MS is unpredictable and symptoms may appear or
worsen at any time is a challenge to those living with MS.
MS strikes people of all ages, although
most are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. More than
400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people around the world
have MS.
Although there currently is no cure,
treatments are available for MS and its symptoms.
For more information about the
different types of MS, treatment options, research
information and more, visit
www.nationalmssociety.org.
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On May 27, 2009 the Multiple
Sclerosis International Federation launched the first ever World MS Day in
an effort to unite individuals, groups and organizations in the global movement.
The Day provided people with an interest in or a link to MS,
with an opportunity to participate in events and activities that
will raised awareness of MS as a global issue and raise funds to support the work of the
movement. Join
the movement!
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“Hi, this is Lori Schneider. In June of '09, I returned from Nepal, where I completed
the climb of my life. Years ago, Multiple Sclerosis WAS the
climb of my life, and I feel fortunate that I have summited that
obstacle and am now descending from the pain and fear. I know of
many others with MS that have not been as fortunate as I am, and
they were with me in spirit, as I scaled Mt. Everest. Life with MS
can be very difficult at times, but it is often those very
challenges that make us stronger. I have let go of the fear and am
living my dreams while I can. If I need to let go of some of the
"physical" dreams in the future, I will find new dreams to pursue.
I climbed this mountain for all of us with MS, and it was an honor
to do so. Believe in yourself and live your dreams.” 
