MEQUON, Wis. — Just over 20,000 people are living with multiple sclerosis in Wisconsin, according to Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsn (MCW).  According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, nearly one million people in the U.S. live with the disease. 

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. 

Deb Slater was diagnosed with the disease over 30 years ago. 

“A doctor said, 'You have probable MS,' and I got a little bit hysterical. And it went away, and I thought, 'Oh, that's just the stress in my life,'” said Slater. “And then, as this episode came back, where I slowly just started not being able to use my left hand, my left side. And I got diagnosed at that point.” 

Dr. Ahmed Obeidat is with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Obeidat said MS impacts everyone differently, whether it’s vision changes, weakness or cognitive changes.  

“We think some people are genetically predisposed to get MS,” said Obeidat. “Meaning that they have the genetic code. Well, if you’re exposed to these certain factors, you’re going to develop MS.”

One of those factors is geography. Obeidat said more diagnoses occur in areas farther from the equator. 

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and MCW said Wisconsin has one of the highest populations of people living with the disease.

“People are mostly spending time indoors and not really going outside so they’re not getting as much vitamin D or light exposure,” said Obeidat. “There are some studies showing that if a child is spending an extra hour outside every week, the risk of MS is cut in half. So, there’s a major role in exposure to natural light outside.” 

On top of MS, Slater is also a two-time cancer survivor. She said the progression of her MS has slowed down thanks to disease modifying medications.

“This was quite a shock when I was diagnosed and the cancers were quite a shock,” said Slater. “I was lucky with both of them. We’re all spinning on a time. None of us is promised a tomorrow. Live like there isn’t one.”