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San Francisco, CA Woman with MS Receives Grant to Photograph People with MS and Their Caregivers
San Francisco, CA, January 17, 2003 – Amelia Davis, 34, of San Francisco, CA, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) five years ago, recently received a Betaseron® Champions of Courage grant which will help her photograph a diverse group of people with MS and their families for a book, My Story. Accompanying each photograph will be a statement written by the person with MS and one written by their family or caregiver expressing their feelings and experiences in dealing with the disease.
The Betaseron® 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 30 women and men have received grants to underwrite motivating projects.
Recognition of the "Many Faces" of the Disease
Amelia Davis is a professional photographer who believes that a photograph is the best way to "capture a moment in time." Ms. Davis hopes that her book can help show people the reality of MS – a disease that affects individuals differently. "You would never know that I have MS if you met me on the street," Davis said. "Other people with MS, however, may be physically disabled. ‘My Story’ is designed to capture the many ‘faces’ of this condition, and will demonstrate the strength necessary to deal with MS regardless of outward appearances," Davis added.
My Story also will feature portraits of and writings from caregivers. "My Story acknowledges the critical role the caregiver plays in a person’s battle with MS," Davis said. "With this disease you learn you are not always in control, as you never know when you will have a relapse. I’ve had to learn to accept that and ask for help when I need it," Davis added.
Davis was diagnosed with MS one month before her mother’s death. "It was a devastating time. I was dealing with the prospect of losing my mother, coupled with my own diagnosis."
Davis turned her grief into advocacy – putting her professional skills as a photographer to use by working on a book of photographs of breast cancer survivors. The book, The First Look, features black and white portraits of the women, as well as their written portrayal of how their lives were affected by their cancer.
Her new book will feature people with MS who continue to live their lives to the fullest despite their condition. For example, Amelia plans to photograph Richard Pryor and his wife, Jennifer Lee, as well as Phil Martin, a fellow Champion of Courage who is the director of adaptive programs for the city of Macon, GA.
"Following my diagnosis I realized that there is a tremendous amount of misunderstanding surrounding MS. Through My Story I hope to provide people with insight into the realities of the condition and the strength that people with MS and their caregivers demonstrate every day," Davis said.
Champions of Courage
Funded by a grant from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Betaseron® Champions of Courage program provides grants to people who are coping successfully with MS and who have a project that will inspire others. “Amelia’s ability to tell patients’ and their loved ones’ stories through photography is an inspiration to all of us,” said Eric Simons, motivational speaker with MS and chairman of the Betaseron® Champions of Courage program. "She is a true Champion of Courage."
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. Though no cure yet exists, there are now therapies available that can impact underlying disease course as well as manage symptoms. MS affects more than a third of a million people in the U.S. alone, with someone being newly diagnosed virtually each hour.
For more information about applying for a Betaseron® Champions of Courage grant, visit www.championsofcourage.org, or call 1-202-363-3378.
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Contact: |
Liz Garman Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM Telephone: 202/363-3378 E-Mail: info@championsofcourage.org |
