Whereas, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune disease where the body’s defense system attacks myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers of the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord (the central nervous system); the damaged myelin may form scar tissue (sclerosis), and often the nerve fiber is also damaged, thus nerve impulses to and from the brain are distorted or interrupted; and,

Whereas, Multiple Sclerosis is not a fatal disease and individuals with MS have near-normal life expectancies and most people with MS learn to cope with the disease and live full, productive lives; and,

Whereas, The symptoms of MS may include tingling, numbness, painful sensations, slurred speech, and blurred or double vision, and some individuals experience muscle weakness, poor balance, poor coordination, muscle tightness, spasticity or paralysis which may be temporary or permanent in addition to other function loss; and

Whereas, MS can cause fatigue, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating and may make people more susceptible to depression or mood swings; and,

Whereas, Symptoms may come and go, appear in any combination, and be mild, moderate, or severe; MS is an unpredictable disease as symptoms vary greatly from person to person and vary over time in the same person; and,

Whereas, Symptoms may be eased with medication and therapy; prompt management of symptoms is vital; and,

Whereas, An estimated 400,000 Americans have MS and of these, about two- thirds are women; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of March 13, 2006, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in Michigan.