NBC's West Wing has suddenly become all too real for thousands of people who do not want others to know they have multiple sclerosis.
In fact, the Utah Chapter of the M.S. Society has just implemented special provisions for patients who want to remain anonymous.
Science Speicalist Ed Yeates tells us about that.
For those who've been following West Wing, the President on that show has a form of M.S. but chose not to reveal his diagnosis to the American people.
The drama is raising serious legal questions for the President, the First Lady and the White House staff. But it's also hitting close to home for those who really have the disease.
Within the past three weeks, the Utah Chapter of the M.S. Society has set up a telephone number for those who choose to remain anonymous.
The Utah chapter is now among only a few across the country which is trying to track people with M.S. while protecting their anonymity.
Holly Reynolds, Utah Chapter, Multiple Sclerosis Society: "WE'VE JUST STARTED A NEW STUDY TO TRY AND FIND OUT WHERE PEOPLE WITH M.S. LIVE AND HOW MANY PEOPLE IN UTAH HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. AND ABOUT 60 TO 70 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CALLED IN HAVE CHOSEN TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS - THAT IS NOT GIVE US THEIR NAME, PHONE NUMBER - NO CONTACT INFORMATION WHATSOEVER."
There are a lot of misconceptions about M.S. both from employers and those they hire who have the disease.
Many choose not to reveal their diagnosis. Others resign, fearing the illness will affect their performance on the job, when in fact it won't.
About Multiple Sclerosis
"Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central
nervous system. Symptoms may be mild such as numbness in the
limbs or severe -- paralysis or loss of vision.
Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 but
the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be lifelong. The
progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person
cannot yet be predicted.."
National M.S. Society
