The fight for one family Published March 4, 2013 By Senior Airman Jared Duhon 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Dover Air Force Base, Del. -- Support is shown in different ways by different people. The 436th Aerial Port Squadron, which excels at supporting cargo missions worldwide, has found a unique way to support a member of their squadron. Retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brad Schmidt, foreign military sales coordinator with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, was diagnosed with early stages of multiple sclerosis in 2009. The National MS Society describes MS as a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves and affects everyone who has it differently. There still is no cure but, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. An estimated 2.1 million people are affected worldwide. "The majority of my symptoms revolved around my legs and a loss of feeling," said Schmidt. "It was as if they were weak and heavy." Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 - 50. Schmidt was diagnosed with MS at 30. "When I found out I had MS I was depressed," said Schmidt. "I was a Tech. Sgt. with eight years left till retirement, all I could think was 'where does my career go from here?' But thankfully, I was ultimately medically retired." Schmidt joined the military in 1998 to give a stable foundation for his growing family. "When I joined the military, it was a job so I could provide for my family," said Schmidt. "But, later on I learned it was not just about providing for my family, but also about serving your country, being a part of the Air Force brotherhood, and for me being a part of the Port Dawg family." Every year the Delaware chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has a walk to help raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to aid in researching and developing a cure. "The Port Dawgs are an amazing group of people they have helped organize so many different things," said Sunny Schmidt, Brad's wife. "They've always supported me by signing up for the walk, helping with fundraisers and selling t-shirts." Brad said that since his diagnosis his family has found ways to support MS research. "My wife and I did our first walk with the kids on Thanksgiving of 2009 in Wilmington," said Brad. "The following summer we did another MS walk, the historic Dover walk, and asked if anyone wanted to come out and support us. We had about 80 walkers from the squadron come out that day. The following year over 130 people showed and just last year a little under 200 showed. It's not the money I care about, it's about the support shown." Steve Minard, 436th Aerial Port Squadron combat readiness flight chief and co-worker of Brad, wanted to show his support using his skills to start what he hopes will become an annual event, a car show. "I am the president of a local car enthusiast group and have put on car shows for charities before," said Minard. "When Sunny and I talked and I saw all the work that Sunny was doing with the walk, I thought we could combine forces by putting on a car show and really make money for the MS Society." The car show is planned for Saturday, March 16 during MS Awareness week, March 11-17. Prizes for the car show are being donated by sponsors, two of which are car tint and exhaust parts. A local restaurant will also donate 10% of the customer's total bill to the Port Dawgs walk team for the MS Society if shown a special coupon. For more information about how to get involved with the walk, visit the Port Dawgs MS walk team Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/PORTDAWGS/ At home for more information about that car show, visit http://www.mammagainstms.com