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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, May 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 11, 2004 Sisters see diagnosis as an opportunity to enrich their lives Given the circumstances, Shannon Rist concedes it seems like an odd observation. "But it really has been a good thing in many ways," she says. "I don’t waste my time on things I don’t care about now. I spend that precious time with friends and family. "My life is so much richer," she adds. "And my sister and I are so close now. Our whole family is closer. It has been an amazing experience." Don’t get her wrong: neither Shannon Rist, 32, nor Rene Rist Whyte, 40, both of Ashland, would have multiple sclerosis if they had their druthers. Unfortunately, MS doesn’t allow for druthers. Rist was diagnosed Aug. 5, 2001, her sister Nov. 19 of that year. With Rist, a real estate agent, it began with a feeling of weakness in her legs, followed by numbness and total paralysis. Advertisement For Whyte, an Ashland hair stylist and salon owner, symptoms began when the entire left side of her face went numb. Both have what doctors describe as relapsing remitting MS. The chronic progressive disease randomly attacks the central nervous system. Fortunately, both have recovered, thanks to a healthy combination of medication, willpower and support from family and friends. "It’s still a struggle," Rist stresses. "I’m constantly battling fatigue. When I get tired, I have problems with numbness. I just try to take care of myself better than I ever have." Both graduates of Ashland High School, Rist and Whyte are the daughters of Don and Judy Rist of Ashland. Neither their parents nor their brother, David, have any symptoms of MS. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of the disease can’t be predicted, according to National Multiple Sclerosis Society literature. Symptoms range from numbness to paralysis and blindness. Most people diagnosed with MS are between the ages of 20 and 50. "My sister has had a harder time than me," Rist says. "Mine was one that hit really hard. But she has had an average of two attacks a year. The good thing is she has recovered fully from every attack." As Rist indicated, the disease has brought them closer. "We are the best of friends," she says. The siblings fight the disease with heavy doses of humor, figuring it’s always better to laugh than cry. They periodically refer to themselves as the "MS sisters." When one forgets something, they refer to it as an "MS moment." Yet they know it’s a serious health threat: An aunt, although not a blood relative, died from the disease a dozen years ago. She was 50. But instead of waiting for the other MS shoe to drop, the sisters are battling it head on by raising money for research to help find a cure. For the local annual MS fund-raising walk two years ago this spring, they recruited 60 participants. Last spring they brought in 67 walkers, raising some $12,000. During a ceremony in February in Portland, the National MS Society Oregon Chapter presented the sisters with its Spirit of Oregon Award. The honor is given to individuals who demonstrate remarkable courage, determination and spirit in facing the devastating effects of MS. More than 5,800 Oregonians have the disease. This year the sisters are expanding beyond their own team of walkers to organize the annual MS Walk in Ashland slated for April 17. They are looking for walkers, pledgers and volunteers. "We’re looking for anyone who will walk — they can even donate to themselves," Rist says. "Or they can just pledge to help fight MS." The walk steps out at 10 a.m. at the Ashland Community Center. Check-in time begins at 9 a.m. There is also a silent auction from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the community center that day to raise money to fight MS. The three-mile walk wends its way through Lithia Park and around Ashland. The sisters hope to attract some 300 walkers while raising at least $15,000 for MS research. For further information, call Rist at 840-2015 or e-mail her at [email protected] "We walk because we can," Rist says. "We walk for all those people who can’t," her sister adds. And those who walk alongside them April 17 will have remarkable company. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times