MILWAUKEE — It’s been five years since Rebecca Schimke was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that impacts the central nervous system.
“It started with the numbness and tingling in my legs,” said Schimke. “I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. It took a year to figure out.”
The diagnosis was unexpected, but she said she decided early on that it would not define her.
“I wanted to use something that could be seen as really negative and turn it into a positive,” said Schimke. “I’ve made it a goal of mine to be an advocate and spread awareness and help others with MS.”
She wants others to know you can still live a full life with MS. Schimke said she loves to spend time with her husband and son. They like to play different board games. She also enjoys grabbing a cocktail at Great Lakes Distillery.
When Schimke is out in the community, she always advocates for MS.
“For me, it was a no brainer. How do I use my network to develop this and spread awareness and help everyone who is affected by the disease? I thought, ‘you know what, they have monthly cocktails here, why don’t I ask?’” said Schimke. “The worst thing they could do is say no.”
Great Lakes Distillery bar manager Brendan Cleary, also Schimke’s friend, thought creating a cocktail to raise awareness and money for the disease was a great idea.
“When we make relationships with regulars, anything we can do to participate in their lives,” said Cleary. “Just something simple as a cocktail. We’ve already been serving it the last couple of days and regulars are asking questions about MS and it’s just bringing up the greater conversation. It’s not just about the dollar going to charity but the awareness towards MS.”
It’s a gesture that Schimke said means so much to her.
“I think it’s all a part of the awareness and using your network and social influence to help people understand something that isn’t always visible,” said Schimke.
MS impacts more than 20,000 Wisconsinites, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Rob Multerer, Wisconsin chapter president of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said the Badger State has one of the highest number of people living with the disease. He said it’s partially due to environmental factors.
He said research shows being farther away from the equator can be a trigger for MS. Living through trauma is another trigger.
“We found with MS, sometimes it’s a traumatic experience that raises the MS up and makes it more prevalent,” said Multerer. “One of our largest segments of our community of our country being diagnosed with MS is our veterans. A lot of the times it’s veterans that were overseas in Iraq, Kuwait and Desert Storm. A huge change in their climate and in their lifestyle and they’re coming back with MS. So much that there’s 70,000 veterans in our country with MS.”
That’s why Schimke said she’s hopeful customers remember more than just the taste of the custom cocktail but remember the meaning behind it, which is to bring awareness to a disease that affects so many across Wisconsin.