Wichita Man With MS Receives Champions of Courage Grant to Cycle Across the Country
Washington, DC, Dec 20, 2000 – Delbert Richardson, a 47-year-old Wichita resident who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) three years ago, recently received a Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM grant, enabling him to achieve a personal goal of bicycling across the country to heighten awareness of MS and its prevalence among minorities.
The Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM program recognizes the accomplishments of people with MS and provides grants to help them achieve their goals and inspire others. Since the program was introduced in 1999, more than 20 women and men have received grants to underwrite motivating projects.
"Delbert’s ride has the potential to positively impact many people," said Eric Simons, motivational speaker with MS and chairman of the Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM program. "His endeavor will not only help him to overcome his own restrictions, but also may encourage others to commit themselves to overcome restrictions that are within their ability."
Pushing Past Disability to Achieve a Personal Physical Challenge
During his solo cross-country bicycle trip, Delbert will pedal approximately 5,000 miles across 14 states, departing from Seattle, WA in April and arriving in Washington, DC in July 2001. Delbert, who experiences muscle spasms, loss of balance and fatigue, will ride a three-wheel recumbent bicycle that will maximize his cycling ability. As an African American with MS, his goals are to raise awareness of the disease in this community and to demonstrate the important role that survivors play in motivating the newly diagnosed.
"In addition to accomplishing a personal goal of completing the distance, I want to continue to bring an awareness to the disease that I and many others have to deal with each day," says Delbert. "I am hoping that fellow MS survivors will see through my efforts that while MS is a hindrance, with proper treatment, and above all, determination, goals can still be achieved."
About the Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM Program
Funded by a grant from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM program provides grants to people who are coping successfully with MS and who have a project that will motivate others. To apply for a grant, individuals must be taking the MS medication Betaseron®, describe their community service activities and outline their plan for a grant. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.championsofcourage.org, or by calling 1-202-363-3378. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are reviewed three times per year.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord, wearing away control over the body. Symptoms may range from numbness to paralysis and blindness. No cure exists; however, therapies to treat symptoms and reduce the number and severity of attacks are available. MS afflicts up to 350,000 people in the U.S.
