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Lisa Eorio,
Charlottesville, VA
Lisa Eorio, 47, knows the importance of regular exercise and stretching. In fact, it’s been instrumental in helping her deal with the symptoms of MS.
She helped others in her community with this disease by organizing a bi-weekly, six week long exercise program in 2000 designed to help participants begin a life-long commitment to fitness and wellness. Lisa received a Betaseron® Champions of CourageSM grant to underwrite the cost of the entire program.
Diagnosed in 1976 at the age of 21, Lisa’s first 10 years with the disease were relatively symptom free. But by 1990, in the middle of her graduate program in Economics at the University of Virginia, her condition worsened. She began to have symptoms like weakness in her arms, hands and legs, as well as mental and physical exhaustion. Since that time, Lisa walks with a cane.
What happened next illustrates Lisa’s courage and determination. Refusing to give up her dream of working in the university setting, she changed majors, selecting a Ph.D. program that was less stressful, and received her Ph.D. in 1996.
She also began working with the athletic trainers at the University of Virginia and has maintained an exercise program which has been key to battling her MS symptoms. She credits the Director of Sports Medicine for providing her with the direction, encouragement, and support needed to continue her fitness program over the past twelve years.
Says Lisa, "I have seen friends with MS lose function, not wholly from progression in the disease process, but also from lack of activity. I have had the good fortune of learning about and experiencing the benefits of a regular exercise program, and I want to help others with MS by providing them with this invaluable opportunity."
As hoped, almost all participants of Lisa’s fitness program have maintained a regular exercise routine. Many have also become outspoken advocates for creating and continuing fitness programs in the community. Lisa has since retired from full time work at the University but works there as a part time grants administrator. She also continues her volunteer activities leading a thriving MS self help group and advising the University of Virginia Women’s Center. And, of course, Lisa remains committed to maintaining her and other’s life long commitment to fitness.
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