It’s not every day that Dan and my State Senator Roger Hauck escorts us, along with my caregiver Jenn, through the halls of the State Capitol and on its elevator up to the Senate Chambers to introduce a proclamation declaring March 9-15 MS Week in Michigan.
But that’s exactly what happened to us this past week.
What made this even more humbling as we watched from the Senate galley was when Senator Hauck, after reading the proclamation from the Senate floor, formally recognized Dan and me for our work to raise awareness, educate the public, and push for policies that improve the lives of others with Multiple Sclerosis.
Senate Resolution 16 states, in part, that,
“…Whereas, The state of Michigan recognizes the importance of finding the cause and cure of MS and expresses its appreciation for the dedication that the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has shown toward creating a world free of MS; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 9-15, 2025, as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Week; and be it further
Resolved, That we commend this observance for all Michiganians and encourage citizens to learn more about MS and what they can do to support individuals with MS and their families.”
This resolution is significant because it represents a major step toward raising awareness about a disease that affects nearly a million people in the United States. We are thankful for Senator Hauck’s steadfast support of our MS advocacy efforts.
We are also grateful that our friend Tammy Willis, president of the National MS Society–Michigan, joined us in the gallery as the resolution was read and passed and that fellow MS activist Fox Rigney worked diligently to secure a similar proclamation in the Michigan House.
I get it. Proclamations like the ones we and Fox got passed in Michigan may seem symbolic, but they serve a larger purpose. They raise awareness of this disease that Dan and I each have lived with for more than 25 years. They also kick off conversations, influence action, remind us and others living with MS that we are not alone.
This is why I am committed to continuing to advocate and use my voice to help boost research funding, improve healthcare policies, and ensure access to the treatments and resources we all need to live our best lives—not just during MS Awareness Week, but every day of the year.
As I’ve said many times before, I’m going to keep talking about this darn disease so much that they’re going to cure it and just to shut me up.
Next stop: Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for the National MS Society Public Policy Conference.
