Sinking Multiple Sclerosis One Shot at a Time
After circling the rectangular table, David Krolick peers intently down his smooth maple pool cue and focuses on the break shot. The force of the shot sets the table in motion, and another billiards match has begun.
For Krolick, what began as a childhood pastime quickly grew into a competitive passion. He became a regular at local pool halls at a young age, and today, at 49, he continues to practice hours on end to refine his skills. Billiards has played an important role in his life through many personal milestones — including a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Today, Krolick is matching his personal interest in pool and his experience with a chronic disease to make a bold statement — MS will not stop him from playing billiards at the professional level.
In 2003, the Albuquerque native made his debut at tournaments across the country, including the Billiards Congress of America (BCA) National Championship. This year, Krolick is making his way to even more pool halls to continue sharing his story of overcoming adversity. His goal is simple — to inspire others to pursue their own personal passions, even when life’s challenges intervene.
If you are interested in learning more about the tournaments and seeing Krolick compete, visit www.azbilliards.com for complete information on dates and venues.
A Surprising Motivator
In 2000, Krolick began having numbness and a tingling sensation in his feet. He dismissed the feeling, associating it with a pair of shoes he figured must have been cutting off his circulation. The shoes went into the trash, and Krolick went about his regular routine. 
Three weeks later, the feeling spread through his legs and hips. Krolick saw a neurologist, and a neurological exam and positive MRI confirmed a diagnosis of RRMS.
Krolick’s diagnosis led to a series of questions about the disease and what steps he could take to manage his MS. He spoke with his neurologist and turned to resources, including Shared Solutions® and MSWatch®, to get a grip on his options. After researching MS and drug therapy, Krolick decided to take on the challenges of MS by incorporating COPAXONE®, a daily injection, into his routine. He also retired from his 15-year career as a horseshoer to focus on his personal interests — including his interest in billiards.
As Krolick began to think more about pursuing his passion for pool, he realized the one thing that may have stopped some people from returning to the dim lights of the pool hall actually motivated him.
“Playing pool requires 100 percent focus. When I’m at the table, I’m focusing on executing my next shot as perfectly as I can — not on my MS,” Krolick said. “Spending time doing something I love makes me feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.”
Stepping Up to the Table
Now, Krolick finds himself more dedicated to the game than ever. He spends hours each day fine-tuning his billiards skills. Practicing drills, watching instructional tapes, and observing champion players are all part of his mission to perfect his game. He also serves as the house pro at a pool hall in his hometown. He is proud to play competitively and show off the precision and skill he has developed from years of practice.
In 2003, Krolick took on world-class players in many venues, including the U.S. Open 9-ball Championship; the Billiards Congress of America National Championship, where he placed 97th out of more than 1,800 competitors; and the Derby City Classic One pocket competition, where he placed in the top 25 percent. Looking ahead, Krolick plans to rack ‘em up again this year as he makes his way to tournaments across the country.
“Even when I lose a match, I have still won a small battle against MS. Fighting MS for me has meant taking advantage of the therapy options available, like the daily injection I take to manage my MS, being willing to accept help from others, and staying focused and positive,” Krolick said.
While individual results may vary, Krolick credits drug therapy and a positive outlook for helping him compete. He has had just one exacerbation since initiating drug therapy in 2000.
“Everyone has limitations. We must choose to focus on what we can do,” Krolick said. He now enjoys telling others about his life with MS and proving that MS is not an end — but rather a beginning.
Advances in Medicine
Attitude, exercise, and diet are all important to managing MS, but in recent years, another option has emerged — drug therapy.
The FDA has approved drugs for RRMS, such as COPAXONE®.
Call Shared Solutions® at 1-800-887-8100 for more information about COPAXONE®, Team COPAXONE®, or multiple sclerosis.
062235173/060821