May
26
By Belinda Goldsmith
Reuters
CANBERRA
Singer Walter Williams from R&B group The O’Jays seemed to have a charmed life, but for nearly three decades he kept a secret from his fans — he was suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS).
However to mark World MS Day on May 26, Williams decided it was time to go public with his health issues to let other MS sufferers know that it is possible to lead an active life despite the chronic and often disabling disease.
“I have done well with MS and I want other sufferers to know that they too can lead a normal life,” Williams, 67, told Reuters in a telephone interview.
“Why now? Well, it’s a good time to come out and let people know there is medication for this now that helps a great deal. When I was diagnosed they told me I had 20 years to live and there was no cure but it has all changed.”
Williams is a founding member of the The O’Jays who were pioneers of 1970s soul music with hits like “Love Train,” and “Use Ta Be My Girl.”
He first realized something was wrong while on tour in 1983 and he began getting numb in his feet, legs and torso. At the age of 39 he was diagnosed with MS, the inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system.
Over 2 million people worldwide have MS which affects about three females to every male with symptoms often starting to show when people are in their early 30s.
“I knew nothing about MS so when I was diagnosed I just freaked out. The doctor told me to get my life in order as I probably only had 20 years to live,” said Williams.
“At first I did the pity party thing and felt sorry for myself, but then I got angry and decided to fight it. I started exercising more to make my body strong and started to eat right and keep a great attitude. I slipped a lot but I got through it.”
read the rest: O’Jays Singer Reveals Long Battle With Multiple Sclerosis.
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We need more public figures to come forth and be a role-model for this disease, and we need to see them share their stories, and how they managed to cope with the disease for all this time.
I strongly believe that Walter Williams is a brave man, and that he should have come forth sooner. Needless to say, giving one of his characters MS, is his way of freeing himself and sharing the problems that MS has for him. Also, the fact that MS sufferers can read and identify themselves with the character can be quite therapeutic, and can be a good learning experience.