The State Journal-Register

Sunday, January 7, 2007

CITY/STATE, Page 17

Benefit will help MS Patient Afford Procedure for Tremors

By JOHN REYNOLDS
STAFF WRITER

Marty Stuper is hoping a procedure used on Parkinson's patients will help control the severe tremors of his multiple sclerosis.

"The tremors affect everything I do," Stuper said during a phone interview recently. "If I make any motion at all, like try to move or walk ... anything that requires any kind of bodily movement, the tremors are severe to the point where they make it nearly impossible to do anything."

The procedure that might control the tremors and allow Stuper to live a more normal life is called deep brain stimulation surgery. It involves implanting electrodes in Stuper's brain and running wires down to his chest, where an internal electronic device will be implanted. The device in the chest, similar to a pacemaker, will send electronic pulses to Stuper's brain, which he hopes will reduce his tremors.

Two operations will be needed to complete the procedure. They will be done at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

Stuper hopes the operation will be successful, but there is a problem. The cost of the two procedures could exceed $200,000. Medicare has told him the procedure isn't approved for MS, which means Stuper must find the money himself.

"It's either try to raise the money or find some way to finance the entire thing on my own, which would involve taking out loans," Stuper said.

To help, friends and family members have scheduled a benefit Jan. 14. The event will have food, refreshments, live music and a 50/50 drawing. Proceeds will offset the cost of travel, lodging, meals and medical expenses.

Stuper, who formerly was Springfield Township highway commissioner, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. In 2002, the disease progressed to the point where Stuper had to go on disability, but he continued to further his education at UIS. In May of 2004, Stuper was featured in The State Journal-Register when he received his master's degree in communication.

Since then, however, Stuper's symptoms have gotten worse. He said his head shakes so hard he can't look at a computer monitor. He spends most of the day on the couch lying as still as possible.

"If I'm still, the tremors aren't that severe," Stuper said.

Stuper doesn't go outside in public anymore because the tremors are "too uncomfortable and extremely embarrassing."

If the surgeries are successful, Stuper hopes the procedures could be approved for other MS patients. He added that there is an "outside chance" that Medicare might pay for his procedure.

Even though he isn't sure where the money will come from, Stuper is moving ahead with plans for the surgery.

The first surgery is scheduled for Jan. 31, and the second will be scheduled later.

Family members are helping him get by day to day. When asked what he wants to do after the surgeries, Stuper laughed.

"I would just like to walk around a while and see what it's like to be normal," Stuper said.

After thinking about the question, Stuper said he would like to try his luck at writing. He wrote a lot of papers while going to school, but now it is impossible to hold a pen or work at a computer.

"I'd like to write stories that deal with the human condition," Stuper said.