How does one deal with a debilitating disease when children need care, and dreams are still unfulfilled?
Stricken by multiple sclerosis, Sylvia Harris-Kidd, 48, struggles to deal with symptoms such as fatigue and blurred vision. She has difficulty walking and falls easily, yet she manages as a mother, student and worker.
Affecting the brain and spinal cord, multiple sclerosis (MS) results in loss of muscle control, vision, balance, sensation and thinking ability due to decreased concentration and memory. Other symptoms include spasms, tremors and problems speaking and swallowing.
“At first, it wasn’t all that bad. I used to skate, but then I started falling down a lot,” Kidd said.
“I got tested and found out there was something neurologically wrong.”
A native St. Louisan, Sylvia was diagnosed in 1980 and continues to suffer from symptoms. Slowly but surely, she had to give up many things she enjoyed, like playing piano and her secretarial position at the downtown post office.
“I used to be able to type 85 words per minute,” she said. “Now I have problems with my left hand, and I sometimes lose control of my fingers.”
More detrimental than not being able to skate, play piano or type rapidly, the symptoms limited her physical activity when her sons Brandon and Aaron were young.
“I was able to play ball with them at first. But my younger son, Aaron, has never really seen me walk without a cane or a walker,” Sylvia said.
“I’ve never seen them cry about it or anything, but they just want to see me back on my feet.”
Her sons, now 21 and 16, are able to assist Sylvia when needed.
Never-ending support from other family members and friends also keep Sylvia in good spirits. For instance, her brother, Leon T. Harris Jr., organized a surprise graduation party at Sun Valley Adult Care Center this past October to raise funds for Sylvia.
“It was wonderful,” Harris said. “My relatives came from out of town. Everything was perfect. I am very thankful for the donations.”
With an illness such as MS, the smallest feats become difficult – even transportation.
Although she gets around using a motorized scooter while at school at Vatterot, Sylvia still has apprehensions about being on campus. Things that non-disabled people take for granted, like turning corners or finding a restroom, are issues for her.
Jokingly, she said, “I tore up a couple of walls with my scooter, but they’re being repaired. I’d be, ‘Oops, I didn’t cut that corner right.'”
Her sense of humor helps when having to deal with ignorance and ridicule from other people.
“It’s amazing to me how people act toward the disabled. Yes, I’m on this scooter, and I may look stupid, but I’m in school. Laugh if you want to, but I will graduate.”
In the end, none of these tribulations tested her faith or caused her to lose hope. Not only did she graduate with an A-average from Vatterott’s medical assistant program, but she did so without being absent or tardy during the 60-week program.
Congressman William Lacy Clay recognized her valor and wrote an endearing letter, congratulating her on graduating and acknowledging her as an inspiration to him.
And if attending school wasn’t enough, Sylvia also works part-time assembling medical bracelets.
“Two dollars is better than no dollars, so to speak,” Sylvia said.
Her brother, Leon, has recognized her strength, courage, and wisdom since the beginning and continues to try and raise funds for Sylvia.
With unrelenting expenses and problems maintaining a house, Sylvia hopes to one day afford assisted living.
Of her illness, she said, “This is just a bump in the road. It won’t kill you. You kill yourself. But I’m not going there. Or, as the young people say, ‘I ain’t going out like that.'”
If you would like to help Sylvia Harris-Kidd in any way, please call at 869-2766.
