Actress

I've always had this American-pie face that would get work in commercials... I'd say things like, 'Hi, Marge, how's your laundry?' and 'Hi, I'm a real nice Georgia peach.' Sometimes this work is one step above being a cocktail waitress.

I remember some stories had a very big impact on me, like 'The Little Train That Could,' which is about the importance of not giving up, and 'Little Toot,' about a playful tugboat in the New York harbor.

You can be diagnosed and treated early. And there is hope for the future.

I want to write more, because I think I've got a story to tell.

Speaking out about multiple sclerosis to others who may be dealing with this disease is actually helpful to me as well as, I hope, to others. It builds community, helps bring awareness to MS, and strengthens the MS movement that will ultimately lead to the end of this disease.

Someday, I'll make the right connection with the house I'm meant to be in.

There were symptoms that I saw, and though I went to many doctors and had many tests, no one diagnosed MS.

I thought, 'If I can't be prom queen, I can dance 'Les Sylphide.'

I had to learn to walk again, talk again, think again.

I'd like to play something classical. I'm in the Strindberg society, and we do readings of Strindberg plays. I'd love to do Nora in 'A Doll's House.' And Chekhov. I have been working back to back on what I call 'regular jobs,' so it's hard to do plays.

I think eventually they're going to find out that MS is like 10 different things. I have a neurological disease something like MS, and it's MS, so let's take medicine for it.

Speed bumps, I was thinking, you know, you're driving along, everything's OK, and then there's a speed bump to go, 'Slow down.' Go over it real slowly, and you hit the pedal, and you keep going, and I just thought it was kind of a nice metaphor for life.

The Academy not only knew I existed, they thought I was good!

Directors would tell me, 'We want you to play a character a little less complex than you are.' Yeah, sure. What they mean is, 'You're playing a dummy.'

I plan to live to be 120!

How come women are treated differently from men all the time? Not only handicapped people, but women - and handicapped women, forget it!

What's happening to me is I'm still happy and functioning, being able to listen to music, see good movies, read good books. What else is there that I can't, you know, I mean, I'm OK.

My doctor said, for want of a better word, now that we've got medicines out here that can help, let's put you on one of them and say we're treating MS.

If you get a diagnosis, get on a therapy, keep a good attitude and keep your sense of humor.

I went to physical therapy, occupational therapy, voice, every kind of therapy except mental therapy - obviously!