Craig Daily Press

Craig — Parking can be a minor hassle for some, and a major obstacle for others.

Stan Sholes needs as much room as he can get when parking his van because of the ramp he uses to unload his wheelchair. The difficulty in finding the proper space for his vehicle is one of the reasons he shies away from downtown Craig.

Sholes, 55, suffers from the central nervous disease, multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed with MS in 2000, Sholes was unable to walk by 2003, and has since used a wheelchair.

“I’ve adapted to it by now, but I don’t sit idle,” he said. “I’m glad that I can still fish, hunt and four-wheel, and I hardly even notice the wheelchair anymore, but it has helped me realize how hard it is for people who are handicapped.”

Sholes also has been on medication for MS symptoms such as spasticity, and receives regular medical treatments in Denver.

“It varies all the time,” he said. “Different people deal with it in different ways.”

Sholes attended the first monthly meeting of the MS support group at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, but has not returned since, partly because of the difficulty of getting from his house to the building.

“I’m glad that there’s a group,” he said. “I can relate to some of the things that they talk about, but I don’t really like crowds, and a lot of the stuff they discuss is something I can get on a webcast.”

Sholes’ wife, Barbara, is his caregiver, providing emotional and physical support for him in his struggle with MS. She attends the support group occasionally.

“I try to go when I can, but I don’t think I get all that much out of them as a caregiver,” she said. “They’re a good thing to have, but the timing doesn’t always work out for me. The meetings are half over when I get off work.”

The support group convenes from 4 to 6 p.m. the third Monday of every month at the VNA.

“For most people with MS, fatigue is a major issue,” Barbara said. “Some people are wiped out at that point in the afternoon, and a lot of people just can’t make that time, anyway.”

Barbara’s concerns recently struck a chord with support group organizers. Social worker Kathy Darveau said the group’s August meeting will start at 7 p.m. instead of 4.

“We’ll try it, and see if works as a more appropriate time,” Darveau said. “We’re just an agency that wants to help, and we’re always hoping to see more people.”

Although Stan is unsure whether he will attend the group again, he and Barbara encouraged MS patients in the area to attend the meeting at its new time.

“You don’t know if you’ll like it until you try,” she said.