Despite his Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis years ago and the struggles he still encounters with it, you will still find it difficult to find Dave Mailand without a smile. According to the National MS Society, multiple sclerosis is a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, which make up the central nervous system and control everything we do.
People like Mailand often do not experience symptoms after years of damage have already taken place. Mailand, for example, says his doctors believe he had MS for more than 20 years before he was diagnosed with it more than five years ago. Instead of feeling bad about having MS, he made sure other people did not have to go through their own journey with the disease alone.
He has become the biggest cheerleader for those who have MS or take care of people with MS. In addition to organizing monthly Door County MS Alliance meetings, he has volunteers at events like next month’s mini-golf outing in Fish Creek and the 50-mile MS Challenge Walk in September. He says the positivity goes a long way.
The Door County MS Alliance meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Door County Community Foundation. You will also be able to find the group at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market, Harmony by the Bay at Martin Park, and the Door County Fair.
