He's a fighter

VERNON — Nick J. Marchesani of Glenwood was named Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Ambassador. Marchesani, who has been living with MS for over 12 years, will be attending local, regional and national MS events, speaking at support groups and health fairs and participating in public outreach. He will also participate in leadership training, make radio, television, media appearances and work closely with the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. In high school, Marchesani was a stand-out track runner and later he was a infantry soldier in the Army. Fast forward about 10 years and Marchesani is no longer able to walk. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000 although he had been living with the disease for many years before that diagnosis. "It's a great feeling deep inside knowing that I can make a difference to all suffering from MS. I promised myself that I will do everything it takes to beat the odds. To sit in a dark corner alone in my house feeling my entire body wither away is just not my style. No way! I'm planning on having them rewrite the book on MS." Marchesani was named as the 2010 National MS Society Walk MS Ambassador for the New Jersey Metro Chapter and Biogen Idec Tysabri Speaker in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. He has inspired countless people during his tenure as a speaker. But he is not stopping. Today, Marchesani's pedometer tells him that he can walk over 13,000 steps, which is equivalent to a little over 6.5 miles, and has the ability to run about 200 yards. He loves Zumba and spin classes. His ultimate goal is to run a five mile race once again. His hope is that when a person hears the two words Multiple Sclerosis they will not automatically assume the worst. To Marchesani, MS has a new meaning. He tells everyone: "Yes, I have MS — Multiple Strengths!"