Share this on:
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Tumblr
 E-mail
182
VIEWS
 
RECOMMENDS
8
SHARES
About this iReport
  • Approved for CNN

    • Click to view hsolinski's profile
    Posted August 13, 2012 by
    hsolinski
    Location
    Saraoga, California
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Living with MS

    More iReports you should see

    MS Patient Drug Hunter

    By hsolinski  |  Posted August 13, 2012  |  Saraoga, California
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     hsolinski told me, 'I was at the height of my career in high tech manufacturing with a brand new baby at home when I was diagnosed. The first few years, I tried to hide my disease and pushed myself as hard as I could, but there was a point when I simply let go. I realized I couldn’t bear to stand on the sidelines, hoping for better MS drugs. I gave up security and stability in the corporate world to dedicate my efforts to finding an MS cure.'
    - hhanks, CNN iReport producer


    My name is Helen Solinski, and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2003. When I was diagnosed, my first question to her doctor was "Will I pass this onto my son?"....Carson, since MS runs in families.

    Since my diagnosis, I have given up my 25 year career in Silicon Valley high-tech and refocused my efforts to find better drug for MS, one that reverses the disease damage, doing so much more than simply slowing down the disease. This “pipedream” is not yet available for patients. I began examining and volunteering with other MS organizations and the research they were funding--and became frustrated by the lack of focus, agility and results of the MS research that did not seem to advance potential cures to patients.

    When I found out about the Myelin Repair Foundation in 2004, whose mission was to find a myelin repair treatment for MS patients, I knew that by restoring my body's ability to repair myelin, reversing the effects of MS-- was my best hope to maintain my mobility so I could continue to play baseball with my son Carson and walk our dog, Abigail. I began to volunteer in 2004 with the Myelin Repair Foundation and has since joined the staff as a manager of donor relations, working every day, determined to change the course of this horrible disease.
    • TAGS:

    • GROUPS:

    What do you think of this story?

    Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
    Be and editor! Choose an option below:
      Awesome! Put this on TV! Almost! Needs work. This submission violates iReport's community guidelines.
    More from this assignment - Living with MS
    On CNN
    Finding Joy Amidst the Trials of MS
    On CNN
    The World's Best Mother with MS.
    On CNN
    Life full of questions...
    See all 25 iReports
    Add your Story

    Comments

    Log in to comment

    iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.

    Add your Story Add your Story