All of a sudden, singer Paul Wilson couldn’t finish a song because he would soon become dizzy and have slurred speech. It wasn’t until he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis that all of the symptoms started to make sense.
Paul had experienced nearly every symptom associated with multiple sclerosis.
The list includes loss of balance, vertigo, fatigue, slurred speech, cognitive issues and painful muscle spasms.
When he was a youngster, he would often fall, earning the nickname “tumblebug” from his aunt. He joked that AAA became his best friend because he would often have to call them because he’d frequently lock his keys in his car. He even fell asleep at the wheel on two different occasions. Yet somehow, Wilson was able to maintain a positive attitude throughout.
However when his MS symptoms interfered with his one true passion: singing, Wilson became more than frustrated.
“I could never finish a song because I would become dizzy, and my speech slurred,” said Wilson. “I felt drunk, it was so strange. I would say my equilibrium was off. I didn’t know it was MS at the time.”
But now Wilson has created a coping mechanism. Whenever he encounters symptoms, he turns to…
…faith and of course – to music.
“I would listen to music or just pray to God to keep a positive mindset,” said Wilson, who works as a service specialist at The Hartford. “I didn’t know why my body was acting this way, but music gave me strength to press on.”
Wilson, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009, participates each year in the annual Walk MS event and has sang in the national anthem at the event.
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“I have MS and these proceeds will help fund research,” said Wilson, who occasionally experiences tingling sensations on his right side but is otherwise, for the most part, symptom free thanks to early treatment. “This is not only for me, but all of the more than 6,000 people in Connecticut who live with this disease. Help me help others; we want a cure.”
Wilson’s fundraiser is an example of Do It Yourself fundraising. The Connecticut Chapter receives numerous inquiries each year from individuals and organizations wishing to stage their own fundraising events to help in the fight against MS. These volunteer-coordinated events are run by interested volunteers independently from the chapter, and can include golf tournaments, bake sales, wine tastings, casual dress days and more.
To learn more or start your own Do It Yourself fundraising event or to learn more about multiple sclerosis and the many ways to get involved, please visit the Connecticut Chapter’s website at www.ctfightsMS.org.
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