Ann Romney’s name is widely recognized, not only as the wife of Mitt Romney, a prominent businessman and former presidential candidate, but also as a powerful advocate for those living with neurological conditions. Her personal battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) has brought crucial awareness to this chronic illness. Diagnosed in 1988 with relapsing-remitting MS, Ann Romney’s experience provides a firsthand understanding of how life’s pressures can intensify the challenges of living with MS. While in remission for many years, she experienced a significant flare-up during her husband’s 2012 presidential campaign, a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of MS. This period, marked by symptoms like tingling, numbness, dizziness, and balance issues, underscored the need for careful management of her condition, especially under stress.
“The flare-up was a crucial reminder of the importance of pacing myself and diligently monitoring my energy levels,” Ann Romney stated, reflecting on the period where she needed steroids to manage the relapse. Despite the personal challenges, this period on the campaign trail became unexpectedly rewarding. She found herself connecting with countless individuals with MS who sought her out at campaign events. These encounters, filled with shared experiences and mutual encouragement, highlighted the profound need for a stronger voice for the MS community. Ann Romney recalls these moments with deep admiration and empathy, noting the often strenuous efforts people made to connect with her, sometimes waiting for extended periods in challenging conditions.
From Personal Experience to Public Advocacy: The Ann Romney Center
These powerful interactions fueled Ann Romney’s desire to give back to the MS community and the broader landscape of neurological diseases. With her MS back in remission, she and her husband established the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in October. This initiative was born from discussions with her physician, Dr. Howard Weiner, a distinguished neurologist at Brigham and Women’s and Harvard Medical School, and his research partner, Dr. Dennis Selkoe, also a leading neurologist. Their conversations highlighted the exciting potential for cross-disease research, particularly the overlapping pathways and treatment discoveries across conditions like MS and Alzheimer’s disease. Drs. Weiner and Selkoe now serve as co-directors of the center, driving its mission forward.
Ann Romney emphasizes the collaborative spirit of the center, citing examples of how MS research breakthroughs at Brigham and Women’s have already shown promise for other conditions, such as glioblastoma, a severe form of brain tumor. The center aims to accelerate the development of treatments and cures for a range of debilitating conditions, including MS, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors. These conditions collectively affect an estimated 50 million people worldwide, according to the National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), making the center’s work critically important.
To fuel this ambitious endeavor, Ann Romney has set a fundraising goal of $50 million. This will be achieved through a combination of personal contributions from the Romney family, proceeds from her cookbook, The Romney Family Table, online donations via the center’s website, community fundraising initiatives, planned giving, and revenue from her memoir, In This Together: My Story.
“My vision is that through the research center and my book, I can elevate neurologic diseases in public consciousness, fostering increased awareness, support, and crucial funding,” she explains. Recognizing the importance of community and shared experience, she also launched 50MillionFaces.org and an accompanying social media campaign. This platform serves as a space for individuals affected by neurological conditions to share their personal stories, creating a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.
“In Her Own Words”: Navigating the Early Stages of MS
Ann Romney’s journey with MS began with subtle yet concerning symptoms – numbness on her right side. Initially, she attributed it to a minor issue like a pinched nerve. However, as more alarming symptoms emerged, including cognitive fog, impaired balance, and overwhelming fatigue, she recognized the need for medical consultation. Prompted by her brother, Dr. Jim, she consulted a neurologist. An MRI scan revealed lesions in her brain, leading to the diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS. This form of MS is characterized by unpredictable attacks (relapses or flare-ups) followed by periods of recovery (remissions). According to the National MS Society, it affects 2.3 million people globally and is significantly more prevalent in women.
Reflecting on her diagnosis in the late 1980s, Ann Romney notes the limited treatment options available at the time. Disease-modifying medications were relatively new, and treatment primarily focused on managing relapses with corticosteroids. “My initial neurologist conveyed a sense of limited intervention, suggesting a wait-and-see approach until my condition worsened significantly,” she recalls. This initial lack of proactive treatment left her feeling shocked and concerned, especially as she grappled with the fear of rapid disease progression, fueled in part by online research that painted a daunting picture of life with MS. It was through a friend’s recommendation that she connected with Dr. Weiner, known for his proactive and aggressive approach to MS management.
Embracing Early and Aggressive Treatment Strategies
By the time Ann Romney consulted Dr. Weiner, her condition had progressed to the point where she was experiencing frequent falls. Dr. Weiner initiated a treatment plan involving high doses of intravenous steroids, which she believes were pivotal in stabilizing her condition. This was followed by ongoing disease-modifying treatment, aligning with Dr. Weiner’s philosophy of early and aggressive intervention for MS. “His approach, advocating for early and aggressive treatment, instilled confidence that a better outcome and remission were possible,” Ann Romney shares.
This approach is echoed by other MS experts, including Dr. Aaron Miller, a neurology professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Miller emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in improving long-term outcomes for MS patients. He stresses the need to recognize early symptoms such as weakness, numbness, tingling, and optic neuritis, urging prompt medical evaluation.
Finding Strength and Balance: Back in the Saddle
Following the steroid treatments, Ann Romney experienced a gradual improvement. While fatigue and numbness persisted, she regained her ability to walk, marking a significant turning point. Fueled by a renewed determination to reclaim her life, she returned to horseback riding, a cherished passion from her childhood. “The fear of losing more physical function motivated me to reconnect with horseback riding, something I deeply loved and wanted to continue for as long as possible,” she explains.
Initially, her physical weakness limited her riding sessions to just a few minutes. However, with persistence and dedication, she gradually increased her riding time. Horseback riding has become an integral part of her life, contributing significantly to her physical and emotional well-being. She credits riding with improving her strength, balance, and energy levels, providing a powerful motivation to start each day. Ann Romney notes that even a short break from riding can noticeably impact her overall well-being, a testament to its therapeutic benefits.
Dr. Bonnie Gerecke, chief of neurology at Mercy Medical Center, corroborates the physical and psychological benefits of horseback riding for individuals with MS. She highlights its potential to improve posture, strengthen core muscles, and enhance mobility. More broadly, exercise is widely recognized as beneficial for managing MS symptoms. Studies have shown that exercise can alleviate fatigue, improve bladder and bowel function, and elevate mood. A study published in Neurocase: The Neural Basis of Cognition demonstrated that aerobic exercise can enhance both brain function and memory in MS patients.
However, Dr. Miller cautions that individuals with heat sensitivity should exercise judiciously, avoiding overexertion that could exacerbate symptoms. He recommends staying hydrated and exercising indoors during peak heat hours.
Addressing Fatigue: A Multifaceted Approach
Beyond exercise, managing fatigue is a critical aspect of Ann Romney’s self-care routine. She prioritizes getting at least eight hours of sleep nightly. Dr. Gerecke confirms that fatigue is a prevalent MS symptom, advocating for a comprehensive approach to identify and address its underlying causes.
Dr. Gerecke advises ruling out other medical conditions that can contribute to fatigue, such as thyroid issues, anemia, sleep apnea, and depression. She also emphasizes the importance of evaluating sleep habits and identifying modifiable factors that can improve sleep quality. For instance, nocturia, or frequent nighttime urination, can disrupt sleep for some MS patients. Dr. Gerecke notes that dietary and behavioral adjustments, or medications, can often alleviate this symptom. If depression is identified as a contributing factor to fatigue, cognitive behavioral therapy or antidepressants may be recommended. In some cases, physicians may prescribe wakefulness-promoting medications, although their use for MS-related fatigue is not FDA-approved and lacks definitive evidence of benefit.
Exploring Complementary and Alternative Therapies
While not currently on disease-modifying therapy, Ann Romney acknowledges that treatment decisions are highly individualized in MS. Dr. Gerecke concurs, noting that while disease-modifying therapies are generally recommended, the optimal approach depends on individual circumstances, including disease activity and progression. Close monitoring is essential for those who forgo treatment initially.
Ann Romney has found complementary therapies like acupuncture and reflexology helpful in managing specific MS symptoms, particularly pain and numbness. Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the hands and feet believed to correspond to different organs. Dr. Gerecke notes that the evidence supporting complementary therapies is varied, partly due to the heterogeneous nature of MS. She recommends that patients discuss these therapies with their physicians to assess potential benefits and insurance coverage.
Dietary choices are another important aspect of Ann Romney’s MS management. She focuses on maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet, limiting sugar, alcohol, and bread, and incorporating green smoothies rich in kale, spinach, and ginger. Emerging research is increasingly highlighting the role of diet in MS, including the potential link between vitamin D deficiency and MS risk. Studies, such as one published in JAMA Neurology, suggest that higher vitamin D levels may correlate with better outcomes in early MS. Furthermore, some data indicates that a low-salt diet may reduce MS risk, while smoking is associated with increased risk and disease progression.
The Personal Decision to Share Her MS Diagnosis
Ann Romney’s public disclosure of her MS diagnosis during her husband’s presidential campaign was met with largely positive responses. However, Dr. Gerecke emphasizes that the decision to share an MS diagnosis is deeply personal and can have varying outcomes.
Dr. Gerecke advises patients to have open conversations with their employers about their MS, highlighting the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of symptoms. She stresses that supportive employers should provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with MS to perform their jobs effectively and comfortably. Examples of accommodations include allowing frequent bathroom breaks for bladder dysfunction or providing chairs for those with jobs requiring prolonged standing.
Continuing the Conversation and Funding Hope
Ann Romney, grateful for being in remission, is committed to supporting others affected by MS. Through 50MillionFaces.org, she encourages individuals to share their stories, fostering a sense of community and hope. Her openness about her own journey has been met with overwhelming support and connection. “The people I’ve encountered on this journey have profoundly enriched my life,” she reflects.
Funding Hope: The Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases
The Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases stands as a beacon of hope, dedicated to advancing research into new treatments and cures for neurological conditions. Ann Romney acknowledges the fear she experienced upon her MS diagnosis and her subsequent access to excellent care. Inspired by her physician, Dr. Howard Weiner, the Romneys established the center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, focusing on MS, Alzheimer’s, ALS, Parkinson’s, and brain tumors.
Dr. Weiner and his co-director, Dr. Dennis Selkoe, are pioneering research, including vaccine development for Alzheimer’s and MS. For Alzheimer’s, a vaccine could target amyloid-beta proteins, while for MS, it could modulate immune “killer cells.” Ann Romney expresses optimism about the current era of brain research, noting promising drug developments, including a potential ALS treatment and a nasal vaccine for Alzheimer’s. The center provides a platform for over 250 scientists to expand their research and collaborate globally.
Dr. Weiner’s longstanding commitment to MS research is evident in his establishment of the Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center in 2000 and his book, Curing MS: How Science Is Solving the Mysteries of Multiple Sclerosis. He emphasizes the significant progress in MS treatment since he began his career, with today’s therapies effectively reducing flare-ups and slowing disease progression. Dr. Aaron Miller highlights advancements in identifying MS risk factors, including smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and Epstein-Barr virus.
Towards Customized Treatment Plans and Future Therapies
Ongoing research, including Dr. Weiner’s CLIMB study, aims to personalize MS treatment strategies. While numerous MS treatments exist, predicting individual patient response remains a challenge. Researchers are actively seeking biomarkers to improve treatment selection and are focusing on developing therapies for progressive MS and exploring stem cell therapies for treatment-resistant cases.
MS Resources
(Note: In a real-world scenario, MS resources would be listed here. For this exercise, and to maintain focus on rewriting and SEO, resource links are omitted as they were not explicitly requested in the prompt).
