et a nnoece Se $885 4% 36% Inlerhome + ’t At + - 8, #13 42% 42 A ) Wo TA meelUoly A) MackelFacis 7% 4 33i BY aS Match oe 14- Learning From Each Moment (NAPSA)—At the age of 18 months, Sue Thomas was watch- ing TV when, suddenly, the sound went off. She had suffered an instant and total loss of hearing. “T learned to speak by imitating the vibrations I felt when I put my hands on the therapist’s throat and by looking in the mirror to shape my mouth the way she formedhers,” said Thomas. Thomas’ hard work paid off years later when she washired by the FBI. She helped start a program to train deaf people to classify fingerprints. Then, due to her superb ability to read lips, she began workingfor the bureau as an undercover surveillant. Thomas’ adventures with the FBI are now dramatized in the television series appropriately titled, “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye.” The series airs Sunday evenings on the PAX Television Network. In 2001, at age 51, Thomasalso was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). While on her way to a speaking engagement in Dallas, she felt numbness in her fingers that spread up herwrist to the side of her head. In front of 7,000 people, with only her publicist knowing about the numbness, Thomas completed the speaking engagement that day. An MRI anda visit to the neurologist later that week confirmed that Thomas had MS. “As with deafness, one can only learn lessons by embracing MS,” she said. “I don’t fight it. Instead, T learn from each moment.” In an effort to raise awareness about MS, Thomas now speaks to groups of people with the disease and plays the role of Ambassador Sue Thomashasn’t let health set- backs—deafness, then MS—prevent her from making a difference. to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Aside from speaking, she has authored herbest-selling autobiography, Silent Night, and is currently completing another book. Thomaslives in Ohio with her golden retriever, Gracie. She takes a long-term approach to managing her MSby keepinga positive attitude and taking the treatment AVONEX (Interferon beta-1la). “T can’t be depressed about life’s challenges when so much has been given to me,” said Thomas. This information is not in- tended to replace discussions with a healtheare provider. To learn more about MS or Thomas’story, or to find out if Thomas will be speaking in your town, visit www.MSActiveSource.com. For full prescribing information on AVONEX, visit www.Avonex.com.
