The Fight Doesn't Stop

I'm submitting this on behalf of my brother, Cortez Redmond. He's always been a very hardworking, standup guy who would do anything for anybody. I asked him to share his life changing story and this is what he shared.  

I was always a working citizen whom loves to provide for my wife and two children. I also love to explore in the kitchen alongside with my high school sweetheart. My wife and I had dreams of owning our very own catering business. My life was forever changed when one day woke up and felt tingling on my left side but just thought it would go away. After a while, it didn’t go away, so my wife took me to the hospital. After several tests I got word from the doctors on 9-6-2011, which is also my birthday. I was diagnosed with a terminal illness called multiple sclerosis.


Multiple sclerosis is a disease which your immune system attacks the protective myelin that covers the nerves. Myelin damage disrupts your brain, and also the rest of the body. Ultimately the nerves themselves may deteriorate, which is a process that’s irreversible. The signs and symptoms may vary depending on the amount of damage, which the nerves are affected. Some people lose the ability to walk, while others experience long periods of chronic pain in the joints, weakness, fatigue, and numbness in the hands and feet. 


This disease has changed my life, from going to work everyday to not being able to work at all. It has been 4 years and I’ve been now trying to get disability, as my body will no longer allow me to work. I have been denied disability, filed and appealed AND, recently received final denial. I am now in process of a civil case to get benefits but no determination as of yet. I had a lawyer who could not get a favor in the case. This process has caused me to become depressed, as I cannot financially support my family. I can’t get to my doctor appointments, as we no longer have transportation. It has also been a strain for my wife who tries to work and take care of the bills with what she has, but it’s not enough. We are drowning in debt and have fallen behind on our property taxes. We are trying to get enough money to help buy a car to get to my doctor's appointments, along with help with copays and prescriptions.


This disease may have changed my life. I will continue to make others aware of this condition. I thank you for taking the time to read my story.