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Lorie McCrone
Port Crane, NY
Lorie McCrone, was diagnosed with MS in 1992. Despite her disease, she has competed in American Kennel Club dog sports with her two Dalmatians and has attained many top-ten titles in both Dog Obedience and Dog Agility. She works full time as an accountant for IBM.
Lorie used her Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM grant to participate in a special competition called a “Road Trial” sponsored by the Dalmatian Club of America, held in June 2000. Not only did she survive the 90° heat as she accompanied her dogs on horseback during a 12.5-mile course, her Dalmatians took second and third place ribbons!
She set her sights on this challenging event shortly after recuperating from an MS relapse in early 1999. “When I experienced the relapse, I could barely walk, much less run an obstacle course. My Dalmatians, though, were not about to let me give up,” Lorie recalls. Through physical therapy and treatment with MS medications including Betaseron®, she regained enough mobility and strength in her legs to resume training and practicing on horseback.
“I believe my story would inspire others with MS,” says Lorie. “I’ve discovered that when encountering an obstacle that seems insurmountable, if I am determined enough, I always find a way around it.”
Lorie has also contributed articles to several canine publications, including Dalmatian Quarterly and The Spotter, participated in the MS Walk (with her husband and two dogs), and is active in the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen programs, teaching responsible dog ownership. Her story “Seeing Love in the Eyes of Santa Claus,” was published in Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul.
June 2000 Photos: Lorie McCrone and her Dalmations took 2nd and 3rd place in the Dalmation Club of America's “Road Trial." Following are photos celebrating this accomplishment.
- Updated 1/2/03
