[dropcap]K[/dropcap]irk Smith knows the local music scene – the musicians, the venues, the good times. He and wife Laurie can often be found enjoying the sounds at Hudson’s on Mercer and Mercer Street Dancehall. But the sounds of the music are fading for Kirk as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) continues to claim more and more of his abilities and enjoyment in life.
After trying one treatment after another over decades to slow his hearing loss, balance problems, and relieve his intense nerve and muscle pain, Kirk had nearly given up hope of reclaiming his life from the debilitating disease. But when his son Derek was diagnosed with MS at age 23, Kirk knew he had to keep fighting – for Derek, as well as for himself.
Hope did come from friends who had recently undergone Expanded Stem Cell Therapy in Panama and were experiencing significant gains in their own struggles with MS. After thoroughly researching the successful and promising cutting-edge therapy (not currently available in this country) Kirk and Laurie became determined that Kirk should have that chance at recovery. The only obstacle was the $25,000 cost. (The experimental treatment is not covered by health insurance).
