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Kelly’s
Story
Most little girls don’t grow up dreaming of racing at speeds
of nearly 190 mph, but Kelly “Girl” Sutton wasn’t
like most other girls. A third-generation driver, Sutton grew up
around race cars and dirt tracks, and decided at an early age that
nothing was going to stand in the way of her dream — including
a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) when
she was only sixteen.
Kelly “Girl” Sutton is one of very few women, and the
first known person with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS),
known to race in any NASCAR series. The 34-year old mom finished
the 2004 season seventh of sixteen rookie drivers in the NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), in a year packed with learning experiences.
As a rookie, Sutton was challenged with racing only a handful of
familiar tracks during the season, but as her skills grew, so did
her list of accomplishments. Sutton currently holds the record for
best starting position for a female NCTS driver at five tracks,
and the record for best finishes at three. Her positive attitude
and proactive management of her disease allowed Sutton to not only
succeed on the track, but to pursue another passion in her life
—helping others living with MS.
Nearly 18 years after being diagnosed with MS, she continues to
share her compelling story in new cities across the nation, connecting
with fans and offering hope to others living with the disease. In
speaking to audiences, Sutton stressed the importance of making
proactive choices for managing the disease and for establishing
a strong relationship with a neurologist. Her courage and resolve
earned Sutton the 2004 Gene Autry Courage Award, just months after
the distinguished 2003 Wilma Rudolph Courage Award was presented
to her by the Women’s Sports Foundation. Past recipients include
such notables as Martina Navratilova and Gail Devers.
Sutton’s desire to help others started at an early age, as
she was commonly found standing on a milk crate with her head under
the hood of one of her father’s race cars. Her own racing career
began at the early age of 10, progressing steadily for six years
until it came to a screeching halt with Sutton’s diagnosis
of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 1988. Initial symptoms
of tingling and numbness on her right side, combined with overwhelming
fatigue were just the first indications something was wrong. By
the time Sutton was 25, she found herself in a wheelchair. Her dreams
of racing seemed to have slipped away. But Sutton did not give up.
Her family would not let her. While individual results may vary,
with the help of her neurologist, they found the right balance of
diet, exercise, and a daily injection of COPAXONE® (glatiramer
acetate injection), that allowed Sutton to resume racing.
The FDA has approved drugs for RRMS, such as COPAXONE® (glatiramer
acetate injection). Current data suggests COPAXONE® is a selective
MHC class II modulator. COPAXONE® is indicated for the reduction
of the frequency of relapses in relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis.
The most common side effects of COPAXONE® are redness, pain,
swelling, itching, or a lump at the site of injection, flushing,
chest pain, weakness, infection, pain, nausea, joint pain, anxiety,
and muscle stiffness. These reactions are usually mild and seldom
require professional treatment. Patients should tell their doctor
about any side effects.
Some patients report a short-term reaction right after injecting
COPAXONE®. This reaction can involve flushing (feeling of warmth
and/or redness), chest tightness or pain with heart palpitations,
anxiety, and trouble breathing. These symptoms generally appear
within minutes of an injection, last about 15 minutes, and go away
by themselves without further problems.
After injecting COPAXONE®, patients should call their doctor
right away if they develop hives, skin rash with irritation, dizziness,
sweating, chest pain, trouble breathing, severe pain at the injection
site or other uncomfortable changes in their general health. Patients
should not give themselves any more injections until their doctor
tells them to begin again.
Teva Neuroscience, Inc. markets COPAXONE®. COPAXONE® is
a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Teva
Neuroscience, Inc. is a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
Ltd.
Call 1-800-887-8100 or log onto www.copaxone.com
for more information about COPAXONE®, Team COPAXONE®,
or multiple sclerosis.
06213120/060476
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