A Cyclist's Journey To Her Dreams

There's good news for people who have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a chronic, progressive disease that affects up to 400,000 Americans, including at least twice as many women as men-and for those who may get it someday. Up until a few years ago, there were no medications approved to manage MS, but today there are several.

The disease is characterized by periods of impaired neurological function (including blurred vision and loss of motor skills) that can ultimately lead to permanent disability. New medications offer hope to people such as Eve Steiner.

After approximately 14,000 miles filled with hills and valleys, new and friendly faces, and an overarching spirit of determination, motivation and inspiration, Eve Steiner of Salt Lake City, Utah, completed her self-coined "pedal my way around the U.S." cycling journey in October 2006.

After experiencing tingling and numbness in her legs, an MRI confirmed Steiner's diagnosis when she was just 16 years old.

Steiner states that her "main goal during the bike tour had been to raise awareness for MS and motivate others to do what they love to do." Her objective is to help others with the disease understand that a diagnosis of MS does not have to put a damper on achieving personal dreams-even if their dreams do not take them from ocean to ocean. Steiner was determined to pursue her passion for mountain biking and not allow her diagnosis to stop her from living her dreams. She began taking Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection), an RRMS drug used to manage the disease, when she was 20 years old. By managing her disease for the past eight years, she has been able to live a full and active life, pursuing the things she loves to do.

As a member of Teva Neuroscience's Team Copaxone, a group of individuals with MS who accomplish extraordinary feats, Steiner has touched many people living with MS throughout the country.

"A diagnosis of MS is not a death sentence, especially with medication. Although results with the different medications vary, if you take a proactive approach, eat right, exercise, take your medication...then you can pursue your dreams," says Steiner.

By: Stacey Moore

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Call (800) 887-8100 or visit www.copaxone.com for more information about Copaxone or multiple sclerosis. A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis doesn't have to keep you from achieving your goals.