On the recordMarch 27, 2014
I stand here today to recognize the month of March as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. MS is a debilitating, chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system and causes visual problems, overwhelming fatigue, difficulty with balance and coordination, and impaired mobility. One of my most trusted and long-term district staff members, Ms. Robin McCray, who has been with me for many, many years--first, when I was in the California State Legislature and now in Congress--has a son, Ian, who is now 42 years of age, who has MS. Ian was diagnosed at the age of 29, at the most productive time in his life. He was an avid snowboarder, an outdoorsman, and practiced masonry. MS has stolen these things away from him. There is no cure for MS, which is why we need advocates to help fight this terrible disease. I have seen, through Robin and Ian, how MS not only affects the individual, but the entire family. Today I speak for Ian, but I advocate for the 400,000 Americans diagnosed with MS. ____________________
