By Rose Schneider

It’s been nearly 25 years since Susan Speckman-Heil was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and every day she works hard to live with the condition.

“Your life changes, and you learn to find things that you can do and try to not dwell on the things you can’t do anymore,” she said.

One thing she can do is bring about awareness, which she does in part through Stevens Point’s Walk MS.

Stevens Point’s third annual three-mile MS Walk will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, starting at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s (UWSP) Multi-Activity Center.

The event has a yearly goal of $37,000. Last year, Stevens Point’s Walk MS raised $29,584 for research and grants for neurologists that specialize in MS, with 425 people participating. Those interested can register at walkmswisconsin.org.

Lori Rousseau, facilitator for Stevens Point’s MS support group, Circle of Hope, was able to bring the race to central Wisconsin and Portage County after walking in 10 other MS walks since she was diagnosed in 1996.

“There are 11,000 people in Wisconsin with MS,” Rousseau said. “Every dime we raise stays in Wisconsin … Wisconsin has some of the biggest MS research centers in Milwaukee and Madison.”

To read the rest of the story, pick up a copy of the Portage County Gazette at one of the many newsstands in the area, including gas stations and grocery stores. Or subscribe at shopmmclocal.com/product/portage-county-gazette/ to have weekly copies delivered by mail.

For more information or to subscribe over the phone, call 715-343-8045.