Miller Place Man Honered For Triumph Over MS
Former Teacher Captures “Champions of Courage” Award
Washington, DC, May 15, 2000 – Michael Miner, a Miller Place, NY resident and former high school teacher who has battled multiple sclerosis (MS) for 10 years, recently received a Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM grant, in recognition for his tremendous accomplishments, despite this often disabling disease. Michael will use his grant to develop an accessibility guide to aid physically challenged people in the Brookhaven town.
The Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM program recognizes the accomplishments of people with MS and provides grants to help people with MS achieve their goals and inspire others.
"Michael’s courage and perseverance is tremendous," commented Eric Simons, motivational speaker and chairman of the Betaseron® Champions of CourageSM Board. "We hope his story will inspire others with MS."
No Barriers
As a high school teacher, it was Michael Miner’s job to empower his students. Now, his goal is to empower fellow MS’ers and educate the general public about the disease that has left him unable to walk more than a few feet. Bothered by the variances among facilities labeled "handicapped accessible," Michael has created an organization called No Barriers (www.nobarriers.org) that will rank the accessibility of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments in the Brookhaven Town on Long Island, New York. His project is funded in part by a Betaseron® Champions of CourageSM grant. Enlisting the support of high school students, fellow educators and a network of friends and family, the group will survey the town’s facilities and compile the information, which will be made available on the website or in a pamphlet.
"This is a vital effort," says Michael. "We need to empower the MS community with knowledge about the accessibility of their surroundings. We should feel comfortable wherever we go."
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 taking the MS medication Betaseron® who have demonstrated unique courage or initiative in overcoming MS. To apply for a grant, individuals must be taking Betaseron®, describe their community service activities, and outline how they will use a grant to inspire others. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.championsofcourage.org, or by calling 1-202-363-3378. Applications are reviewed three times per year: in February, June and October.
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.
