MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disorder of the central nervous system. It is typically progressive, meaning symptoms often worsen over time. MS is most commonly identified through its wide-ranging symptoms, which may include severe fatigue, impaired balance and coordination, visual disturbances, slurred speech, and tremors. Individuals may also experience numbness and tingling in the limbs, along with numerous other neurological complications. Because MS can affect multiple systems throughout the body and presents differently from person to person, obtaining an accurate diagnosis can be challenging.
NO STRANGER TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Nearly one million individuals in the United States are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a figure that represents a significant increase from earlier estimates. Contemporary research places the prevalence between 900,000 and one million people, a finding supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). This revised understanding reflects advances in diagnostic precision and expanded research efforts, revealing that MS is more widespread than once believed, affecting approximately 362 individuals per 100,000 residents.
Dr. Marks is intimately acquainted with health adversity. In 1999, he joined the ranks of those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a moment that would profoundly reshape his life. Through lived experience, he understands the emotional toll, physical challenges, and deep uncertainty that accompany the diagnosis of an incurable neurological disease. Like countless others, he was compelled to learn not only how to manage the condition, but how to live fully alongside it—striving to preserve purpose, dignity, and a sense of normalcy amid ongoing change.
That resolve continues to define his work today. In the mid-2000s, Dr. Marks began traveling throughout the United States, delivering compelling and inspirational presentations at health conferences, conventions, and public forums attended by thousands whose lives have been touched by the devastating impact of multiple sclerosis. Many of these appearances were made at the invitation of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an organization for which he holds enduring respect. His message—rooted in resilience, lived truth, and hope—continues to resonate with audiences seeking understanding, strength, and possibility in the face of MS.