Multiple Sclerosis: Winning Against the Odds

Every once in awhile, life throws you a curveball that results in a few surprises. That’s exactly how a group of tennis players from Oceanside’s Point Set Indoor Racquet Club felt the first time they played tennis. But these players are unique because they play tennis and have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). They beat the odds with determination and perseverance every time they get out on the courts—and they love what they’re doing.
No one is more aware of this than Dan Dwyer, managing partner and head professional at Point Set. A tennis coach for over 50 years, he has been coaching this group for seven years. The weekly hour-long classes are free of charge to all participants.

As Dwyer recalls the initial goals of the group members, he smiles and chats about how much they’ve advanced since they began. One of his players, Anastasia Papadopoulos, is a gutsy lady with scoliosis and multiple sclerosis. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in1995, and wears leg and back braces for support.
“Anastasia’s goal last year was to stand up and hit the tennis ball—she had a fear of falling. But on the first day, she stood up and hit 25 balls in a row,” said Dwyer. “All of them felt they couldn’t do it but they overcame their feelings. I’m not teaching this group anything different than I what I taught my students and my own kids. They’re motivated and they’re enjoying the game.”

Papadopoulos is a big sports fan, but she says she never expected to be able to hit a tennis ball. “We need repetition in our lives. So when we hear Dan tell us to ‘keep your eye on the ball and focus,’ it helps us,” Papadopoulos explained. “For me to show up each week means it has to be something really special.”
Diagnosed with MS in 1983, Linda Maisel enjoys tennis for the social interaction, as well as the exercise. She began playing the sport when she was in her 20s, and started again one month ago. “It’s a reason to get out of the house and stop feeling sorry for yourself,” said Maisel, whose other hobby is her seven grandchildren, ages three to 14.

Dolly Pelini, a resident of Franklin Square, N.Y., doesn’t miss a ride to Point Set each week. Her dedicated husband drops her off and picks her up when the lesson ends. Despite the fact that she lives a half-hour away from the facility and has had MS since 1990, she is not discouraged from participating in activities that she enjoys. “This is good exercise and makes me feel stronger, both mentally and physically,” said Pelini. In addition to tennis, she eats light and healthy foods and has an occupational therapist visit her weekly.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS is a chronic, sometimes debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease—in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues.

(Standing) Dan Dwyer, managing partner/head professional at Point Set Indoor Racquet Club, with volunteers Marlon Weeks, Donna Healy and Jack Gearns with (seated) Anastasia Papadopoulos, Linda Maisel, Christina Rouse and Dolly Pelini

Symptoms usually occur between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye. Most people experience muscle weakness in their extremities, and have difficulty with coordination and balance. Sometimes symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or standing. Many with the disease also experience transitory abnormal sensory feelings, such as numbness, prickling or "pins and needles" sensations. The progress, severity and symptoms are unpredictable and vary from person to person.

But the good news is that new treatments and advances in research are providing hope to those affected by the disease. Experts say that exercise can help ease the symptoms of MS, but it’s important to remember to take certain precautions for your exercise program to be successful. Exercise in moderation is important and healthy, but as with anything else, don’t overdo it.