Files of Sue Thomas

"The challenge of walking with MS

makes my deafness pale in comparison"

sue thomas

Diagnosed in 2001 with the devastating disease of Multiple Sclerosis,Thomas knows first hand what it is to walk uncertain road. While on her way to a speaking engagement in Dallas, Texas, she felt a numbness in her fingers that spread up her wrist and into the side of her head. Standing before 7,000 people, Sue Thomas managed to finish her speaking session before going to the Emergency Room. After countless tests, bloodwork, and an MRI, the neurologist diagnosed Thomas with Multiple Sclerosis.

In 2002 she was asked to be an Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and was honored to be able to stand before the crowds and speak out against this devastating disease.

It was the fall of 2007 before the 1200 plus gathered at the MS National Convention in Texas, when Sue Thomas resigned her Ambassadorship. The magazine of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,Momentum, reported,

"Sue Thomas filled the conference audience with resolve. An unstoppable force of nature….now Thomas is wholly dedicated to destroying MS. Her personal difficulties include being deaf from early childhood–hence her lip-reading skill–and much later developing MS. MS has damaged her vision, which makes lip-reading problematic, but has not cooled her zeal. At the Conference she renounced her role as MS Ambassador which she has faithfully filled for the past several years. “I am an MS warrior,” she bellowed and urged everyone in the movement to unstinting activism–for services and research now!” --Momentum-Spring 2008 pg. 17

"I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Sue Thomas on many occasions over the past 7 years. Sue has an incredible story of hope and triumph. In addition, she is a master of connecting with her audience, while still being sincere and frank about her life with MS. She doesn't hold anything back when she shares her challenges or when she says to the audience, "Show me the money!" I would recommend Sue Thomas for any event or program where you want to raise a lot of money or create a realistic picture of the life of someone with MS. She is a true GEM!!

Suzanne Bland Executive Vice President
NMSS All America Chapter

"It was such a pleasure to meet you at the Women on the Move luncheon in S. F. Your spunk and energy are contagious! I was sitting on the edge of my wheelchair while you were speaking. What an awesome story and a testament to your faith that you didnt give up." 

Miss Buddy Hayes Ms. Wheelchair Virginia 2007-2008  

Follow

Sue's personal journey with MS at her blog... 

 Walking with MS

(Katie, Sue's Service Dog, who was trained for both Sue's MS and her deafness. Katie loved her NMSS blanket!)

Sue has just finished penning the final pages of her latest book Staying in the Race... which depicts her journey of coming to terms with the life changing disease of MS. 

~The Empty Bike~ 

"This empty bike represents all of those people who can no longer ride their bikes because of their MS.

This empty seat represents everyone who isd a part of the MS Movement and has MS~your loved one, your friends, neighbor, or co-worker.

This empty seat represents thousands of people who live with the unpredictability of MS but keep moving their lives forward every day.

It is important for us to see this empty bicycle seat because it reminds us why we are here today because of the hope you are giving to others by riding in Bike MS.

With your continued participation in the MS movement, this bicycle seat won't be empty forever. You can make a difference in the lives of people living with MS.