Regional MS Group Honors New Port Richey Woman with Visionary of Year Award

Three years ago a doctor’s diagnosis confirmed two decades of suspicion for Susan Struder and explained the bouts of dizzying vertigo that hit every few years her doctor once thought were brought on by inner ear infections.

She had multiple sclerosis. Her body was attacking itself and destroying the tissue surrounding nerves.

The New Port Richey woman carried a nagging suspicion for years she might have the disease that affects nearly a half million Americans, most of them women.

Struder understands the stunned confusion that those newly diagnosed feel and the desperate need for information. She went through those stages herself.

“When I was first diagnosed, my brain was very scrambled. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know anything about it,” she said.

For the past two years, Struder has helped others afflicted with the disease by running the West Pasco MS Support Group.

Its roughly 40 members meet to share new information, seek help with daily tasks and finding transportation to shopping.

“The group comes in and we share what we know,” Struder said.

In October, the Mid Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society named Struder a Visionary of the Year and presented her the award in Orlando. The chapter covers 23 Florida counties.

For Struder, word of the award came out of the blue.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated until they called me. I had no idea. I always thought it would be for somebody who did some huge fundraising,” she said.

Word of the award kept her going when she was pondering whether to continue running the support group.

“It made me feel that what I am doing is recognized and helpful,” she said. “Not only do I help myself; I’m helping others.”

The members of her group recognized her efforts and nominated Struder for the annual award.

It’s not that Struder, 52, has been idle in raising money for MS. Teaming with a support group in Zephyrhills, she has helped raise more than $6,000 through walks and with bake sales in New Port Richey.

She intends to continue the efforts in the next MS walk set for March 24.

Lots of people take part in the walks, but not everyone runs a support group. The meetings are informal and open to anyone.

“It’s just a place for people with MS to get out and learn a little bit of information and to socialize,” she said. “Socializing is important. It’s a disease that some days you just cannot get off your duff. This at least forces people to get out. Some people don’t go anywhere else.”

Struder came to Florida with her mother in the early 1990s and settled in New Port Richey in 2000 where she met her husband. He died of leukemia in 2003.

She had suspected she had MS. Every three or four years she would have what a doctor said was an inner ear infection that stole her balance and ability to get around.

In 2008, the usual steroid treatment did no good and things got worse.

“In two weeks, I went from being a little off balance to not being able to get up and go to the bathroom without falling into a wall,” she said.

Since, treatment has helped but the disease left a limp and trouble with short-term memory.

It could be worse, she said.

“I’m in great shape compared to a lot of people with MS,” she said.

Her support group meets from 4 to 6 p.m. at Community Hospital in New Port Richey on the second Tuesday of each month. The group may move to the Medical Center of Trinity when the facility opens.

For more information about the West Pasco MS Support Group you can contact Struder at 727-372-1568, or email at susan.struder@verizon.net