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Terry
FordTerry Ford describes the pain caused by peripheral neuropathy in terms just about anyone can relate to...he says it's like the "pins and needles" pain you feel as you start to get the feeling back in an arm or leg that has fallen asleep. Only for Terry, that pain never goes away. That's because the disease actually causes the nerves in his hands and feet to die, creating not only the constant pain, but also progressive numbness and loss of fine motor skills.
Terry first began noticing symptoms of the disease in 1993. Like many people suffering from this complex disorder, Terry went undiagnosed for a long period of time. All he knew was that it was progressing steadily from the tips of his fingers and toes to further up his arms and legs. And along the way, it changed just about every aspect of his life, causing him to retire from a career that he loved and significantly limiting his activities - which was particularly hard for a dad with three active kids.
But despite the devastating effects of the disorder, Terry never gave up hope. Once diagnosed, he put his energy into learning as much as he could about the disorder and eventually helped established the Denver Chapter of the National Neuropathy Association.
"This disease affects more than 18 million people nationwide, and yet so little is known about it," Terry explains. "I saw the Association as a way to get more information out to people who may be suffering from it-to help draw them out of isolation . and give them a place to share their experiences, fears and even learn about new treatment options."
It was through the Association that Terry learned about the CNI Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorders Center and Dr. Marc Treihaft, the Center's Medical Director. For Terry, it was a turning point. For the first time, he received a thorough testing of all aspects of his disease and began to receive innovative treatments, including andyne therapy. The result: the advancement of Terry's disease significantly slowed down for the first time in 10 years.
"One of the most frightening aspects of this disease is that you don't know if it will ever stop progressing," Terry explains. "That can make the future seem very scary and uncertain. The team at CNI got me to the point where I can look forward to the future again."
Today, the Chapter Terry helped establish has a membership of over 200 people, and CNI's Dr. Treihaft is one of its most regular - and popular - guest speakers. CNI also continues to be a leader in the ongoing research to identify the causes and potential treatments for peripheral neuropathy. As for Terry . he continues to be a source of inspiration to the entire team at CNI-and a source of hope for others who are facing this challenging disease.
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Colorado Neurological
Institute Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorders Center
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