Faces of Adversity
I am a native Houstonian and graduated from Texas Tech University in 2004 with a degree in Corporate Communications. I am Vice President of the Office Services Group at Moody Rambin a commercial real estate firm (www.moodyrambin.com). I am also President and co-founder of FireDisc Grills® a BBQ manufacturing company called (www.firediscgrills.com). FireDisc Grills® sells the most unique BBQ grills and accessories in the sporting goods industry. Additionally, I am a ten (10) year veteran and team captain for the MS 150 bike ride from Houston to Austin. In 2004, along with my brother Hunter we started the MS 150 Carney Men (www.ms150carneymen.org) team and since then we have both led the team to raise over $650,000.00 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. We are on our way to 1 million dollars. When I was a sophomore in college at Texas Tech University, I began feeling numbness in my hands, feet and right leg. I was told it might be Multiple Sclerosis, which I knew nothing about. After being misdiagnosed a few times, I went directly to Baylor College of Medicine to see Dr. Victor Rivera and in December of 2002 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. At that moment I knew I had a battle to fight. I had two options, I could sit back and do nothing or I could get out there and Attack It! With the support of family, friends and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society I chose to Attack it. As mentioned, my brother Hunter started a team for me called the Carney Men (popular song from Cross Canadian Ragweed at the time). I instantly joined him as co-captain and have been riding with the team ever since. During my fight with Multiple Sclerosis I have tried several medications: Avonex, Rebif and now I currently take Gilenya. I have gone from giving myself a shot several times a week to taking a pill once a day! This is because of the effort and money raised by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to fund research for MS. I truly believe this disease is beatable and with support and a positive attitude we will continue to make great strides. I am confident that if we all take this approach, there will continue to be better medicines, treatments, and a cure. One day we can all talk about the MS 150 as something we used to do until we found a way to beat MS!
