The authors evaluated data on more than 5000 patients. 60% of MS patients aged 50 years could still walk a distance of 100 meters unaided, as could 40% of patients at age 60. These figures are better than previously assumed. This much more favourable prognosis has also been confirmed by other researchers. On the average, it takes 20 to 29 years from the time of diagnosis for 50% of a collective of MS patients to be able to walk no more than 100 meters. In earlier studies, this stage of disability was generally expected to be reached after only 15 years.............

For the full abstract please go to MSRC: MS Research News : Quality Of Life Research - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1693

This is refreshing news, after listening to Prof. Carolyn Young's talk at MS Life last month regarding why the term Secondary Progressive is used I feel a lot more positive about the chances of not becoming totally wheelchair dependant in the next 7 years! A little bit of hope goes a long way.