400 participate in walk to find cure for MS
NILES — Haylee Mathews of Cortland seems like any other 16-year old, but her story is far from typical.
Haylee, a Lakeview High School junior and a member of the soccer team, has multiple sclerosis, but she is not about to let it define her.
“I can do everything anyone else can do,” she said. “It’s just something you have to live with.”
MS attacks the central nervous systems and sometimes disables it. Medical science has yet to determine a cause.
Haylee was one of nearly 400 people who turned out on a sunny and cool morning today outside Scrappers Stadium for Mahoning Valley Walk MS, a fundraising effort sponsored by the Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Haylee said she first experienced symptoms during a soccer match. “My leg got numb, tingly and wouldn’t move,” she said. “I thought it was a pinched nerve.”
Her father, Don Mathews, said two medical diagnoses confirmed MS. Since then, Haylee has received regular medication infusions.
“She hasn’t had an episode since,” Mathews said.
His daughter had plenty of support as more than 75 people donned black “Team Haylee” T-shirts to walk with her and donate. Her team raised more than $10,000 – the largest amount by any of the teams according to organizers.
For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com