Steiner Goes to Great Lengths to Fight MS
At the age of 16, Eve Steiner was an active high school student. When bouts of numbness began to creep into her daily life, she did her best to shake them off. But, in 1994, when an MRI confirmed a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), Eve had to figure out what the disease would mean for her.
Eventually, Eve made the decision to face her MS head on. Rather than shrinking away from demanding physical challenges, she sought them out. Her drive to fight MS took Eve twice across the United States on her bicycle and to the top of Africa’s highest peak.
Crossing the Country
Eve’s first cross-country ride took her from Seattle, Wash. to Washington, D.C. in 1998 on an environmental fundraiser.
“When I was diagnosed, I automatically thought I was going to end up in a wheelchair and that I’d have to throw my bike away,” said Eve. “Instead, my diagnosis has spurred me on to do more, and seize every day that I have to be active.”
Eve again took to her bike in 2002. This time her goal was more personal — to raise awareness of MS and challenge perceptions of what people with MS can do.
“I’ve done fundraising rides and charity rides, but this was something just for people living with MS, people like me. I wanted to get the word out that you can continue with an active life despite this diagnosis,” Eve said.
Eve’s journey began in June in Anchorage, Alaska. Her route took her through Denali National Park and past North America’s highest peak, Mount McKinley. Her expedition continued as she rode the entire Alaskan Highway of more than 1,400 miles of pavement and gravel. Entering the United States, she biked along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway into Southern California. The team finally made it to Mexico Sept. 20.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” said Eve, “and it is proof to the MS community that while individual results may vary, with the help of your neurologist, drug therapy, and lifestyle changes, you can do anything.”
Conquering the Summit
In the years that followed Eve’s bike adventures, she set her sights a little higher — the summit of Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro. Together with her parents, Richard and Sheila, Eve made the six day trek to the top of Kilimanjaro, hiking up 19,340 feet of rugged terrain. Along the way they enjoyed the natural beauty of Africa and the satisfaction of conquering another great feat.
In 2004 Eve was back on her bike as she once again raised the awareness of MS by peddling from San Diego to Jacksonville, Florida.
Team COPAXONE®
Eve is just one example of someone who is living with relapsing-remitting MS and pursuing her dreams. Established in 2000, Team COPAXONE® celebrates the accomplishments of people, like Eve, who refuse to let MS stand in their way. Members are working to change the perceptions society holds of people living with MS. The days when the doctor sent people home and told them to go to bed and prepare for a wheelchair are slowly disappearing. Today, a combination of healthy diet, exercise, medical management, and willpower are helping people like Eve pursue their dreams.
Advances in Medicine
Continuing research has led to treatments that can modify the immune processes thought to be responsible for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The FDA has approved drugs for RRMS such as COPAXONE®. COPAXONE® is indicated for the reduction of the frequency of relapses in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Click the links at left or call Shared Solutions® at 1-800-887-8100 for more information about COPAXONE®, Team COPAXONE®, or multiple sclerosis.
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