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diagnosed with the incurable, progres sive neurological disease in 1999, yet his schedule is busier than ever. Fit and muscular, he is the picture of health as he sits in a dressing room near the New York studio where he tapes his shows. But looks are deceiving. He is in pain every day, especially from the shins down, and often has problems with balance. He says he often feels like he's being hit on the bottom of his foot with a sharp or burning hammer. He's had blurred vision, digestive problems, chest spasms and swallowing difficulties. He’s grappled with the depression that can accompany MS, which led to some dark moments in the early days of his diagnosis when he even contemplated suicide. ‘I have MS, but MS does not have me’ Williams says those dark days are now behind him, but he remains convinced that he can alter the outcome of his situa tion. He is dealing with MS just like he’s dealt with every other obstacle in his life. “Rather than sit back and just wait to see what happens, I’ve taken a very proac tive stand against this illness, and I'm going to take that proactive stand until the day 1 die. I’ve been this way my whole life, and circumstances and other things may be a part of the reasons why I'm so driven.’’ He takes 70 pills each day and works out rigorously. A healthy eating regime has vastly improved the way he feels. He discovered that snowboarding relieves his leg pain, so he spends about 110 days annually on the slopes. (Continued on page 16) A bk m 1 4'- H Mmsmi&SUk' fflL " jfepfe.- "' ’" ontel Williams American Profile • DENTURE WEARERS, KEEP YOUR BREATH FEELING FRESH FOR UP TO 5 HOURS. © ©2006 GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healtlicare, LP All drosscd Up «*< 4>N* 8 Page 15 Experience Freshness! This amazing foam denture cleanser releases special breath fresheners that last up to 5 hours. It also microcleans away tough stains and plaque. And, it kills 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria. To try new Polident® fresh cleanse™ for FREE visit www.MyDentureCare.com for details.