LOS ANGELES – It used to be easy for Emmanuel Calderon to go out for a walk. Six years ago, Calderon was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and ever since, each step he takes seems to be labored.

“It was a little scary at first. Like you don’t, I mean you don’t know what to expect especially because you don’t even know what the disease is,” Calderon said.

Calderon was only 19 years old when he was diagnosed with MS. At first, he felt minor muscle tightness and vertigo, but the disease progressed forcing him to use a walker by the age of 25.

“I started to get the tightness in the ham strings and then yeah in the hamstrings and that’s what causes my legs to stiffen up super badly,” Calderon said.

His condition forces him to use a walker or an electric wheelchair if he plans to go long distances. Doctors and researchers found that the disease is impacting the Latino community earlier in life but are not sure why.

Dr. Lilyana Amezcua, with the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, is leading a research study to find out why this disease is impacting the Latino population. She is hoping 250 Latino patients who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the last two years will take part in this study to find an answer.

“There are 17 drugs out there for MS and out of those 17 drug trials less than 10 percent of the population that was studied was of a minority background. So, that tells us that there’s a potential that some of these treatments may not be as effective to this population,” Dr. Amezcua said.

Calderon took part in this study by answering a questionnaire about his experience with MS. He also gave a blood sample that researchers will use to better understand the impact the disease has on the Latino demographic.

Currently, the disease has no cure. Calderon is hoping this study will bring more insights while he continues to manage his disease.

“It could be worse. But at least I can still walk and all that,” Calderon said.

Calderon hopes by sharing his story, other patients won’t feel like they are going through this alone while researchers look for answers.

People who are interested in being a part of this study can call Andrea Martinez, MPH, lead project specialist at (323) 442-6817 or email andrea.martinez@med.usc.edu.