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medical condition’s overall “stability,” continues to be my refuge from this
confirmed every six months by MRI unpredictable, degenerative disease.
test results. But 30 days before the
next local area show, I caught the bug Ten years of competing with MS has
again. It was an aggressive goal allowed me to focus on my abilities!
perhaps, but since I had not let MS More important, I'll never fail because
slow me down during my competition I never quit trying. As Arnold
hiatus, I submitted my entry. Schwarzenegger once said, “Strength
doesn't come from winning. Your
It seems my competition against MS struggles develop your strengths.” I
had resumed at the 2012 NPC Lone couldn’t agree more.
Star Classic. This time I wore the
customary high heels with an unlikely
item: a color-coordinated walking
cane. I performed confidently, Questions for Dawn
knowing I could stand and walk Melanie Green
without falling. The result was second
place in Master’s Figure. I also made
my physique debut with a first place in David Lyons: What were your first
Women Master’s Physique. symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
The ball was in my court! Advantage Dawn Melanie Green: My first MS
Dawn Melanie, over MS! symptoms included intention tremors,
difficulties with speech (slurring and
stuttering), and blurred vision. I
I Fall Down, but Getting experienced these episodes over 100
times daily. And during each, I was
Up Makes Me a Winner forced to pause for 10 seconds. This
was only a problem during a game of
racquetball. Despite the stuttering and
Even when I fail to return the ball, or locking up of my body to a semi-
in my efforts to return it I fall down (an catatonic stupor, my friends soon
occurrence to which I'm no stranger), I learned that I was trying to say,
declare myself a winner, because I get “Gimme 10!” (meaning 10 seconds to
up more than I fall down. Entering my reset).
twentieth year in my journey with
multiple sclerosis, I've been literally DL: What are your symptoms
blind, deaf, speech impaired, and currently, and have they improved
unable to walk or stand. But since starting a workout routine?
“disabled”? No, because fitness
