POWERGRAMS

4 For Peair Garrett, the fight against Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is real – and it's personal. Recently diagnosed with the debilitating disease, Garrett has spent the past year reading about MS and medicines to ease the symptoms. When Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) members held a clay shoot fundraiser to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Garrett was there. "For my company to make a donation to the National MS Society, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to be in attendance," he said. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal cord. About 1 million people in the U.S. have the ailment. Because of severe health problems from MS, Garrett has taken disability. Within a three-week span this year, Garrett lost partial sight in one eye. "It really hit home for me because I was going through this right now, and the company I'm with is helping. I was really pleased," said Garrett, who worked as an assistant plant control operator at Plant Gaston. When Garrett spoke at the fundraiser, "you could have heard a pin drop," said Gaston APSO President Jason Miller. Approximately 31 teams competed, with the help of 60 volunteers from APSO's Corporate, Eastern, Gaston and Miller chapters. "We had a whole lot of people working on this," said Miller. "It's a 12-month process to pull off something like this. We had great attendance, with 116 clay shooters. Hearing Peair talk about how MS has affected his life brought the purpose home to me." MS: Silent attacker of young people Thanks to members' volunteerism, APSO will present a $38,000 check to the National MS Society during Alabama Power's fifth annual Dam Ride May 1-2. Andrew Bell, president of the Alabama Chapter of the society, said APSO's generous gift helps "make a real difference" for people with MS. While the disease occasionally affects children, it is commonly diagnosed in the prime of one's life, between the ages 20 and 54, with most being diagnosed around 34. MS is a mysterious disease: No two people's symptoms are alike. "APSO is helping spotlight the need for treatments and medicine for people with MS," said Bell, whose grandfather had MS. "The National MS Society is laser- focused on helping people live their best lives. Last year, we invested $39 million in MS research and are the global leader in advancing all things in the MS space." Bell is grateful for APSO's and Alabama Power's efforts to spotlight the disease through the clay shoot and Dam Ride. These events help fund the society's MS Navigator program, where patients receive contacts and referrals for support and local services. The modification of homes – such as the addition of a wheelchair ramp – and devices for cars make life easier for those affected by the disease. These offerings "are a boon to families hit hard by out- of-pocket expenses for rehabilitation and other services," Bell said. "And, there's good work being done in our own backyard as the society funds $3 million in multiyear research grants at UAB." APSO raises funds to APSO Bell accepts check from Keith Chambers of TriNova. Clay shoot brought 31 teams. Garrett spoke at fundraiser.

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