CBS 12's Extraordinary People: Jupiter couple champion MS Walk with a smile, purpose

Story By: Michele Wright / CBS 12 News
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- Meet Cindy and Herbert Hartman. Two champions fighting hard everyday for the cause of curing multiple sclerosis. An auto-immune disease where the body attacks itself. Cindy recalls the day she heard the news from her doctor.

Cindy Hartman: I went to an ear, nose and throat guy..he was testing me for vertigo. That's when he called me back and said 'Cindy you gotta go get an MRI.' And that's when they found it. I cried. I never knew anything about it until I got it. The hardest part was that I had to tell my son. He said don't worry mom, we're going to find a cure.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Cindy's Heroes

Michele: A cause near and dear to my heart, I honor my mother and dear friend Michelle who have MS each year by emceeing Walk MS.

Doctors agree that there are many symptoms. Everyone is different. Numbness, pain, tingling to name a few. But like many, Cindy says MS affects her eye sight and balance. People sometimes thinks she's drunk. She uses a walker and her scooter to help her get around so she doesn't fall and hurt herself. But through the challenges. Cindy never loses that beautiful smile. Inspiring others day by day, to never give up.

Cindy Hartman: I would tell them to contact their local MS Society. And that they are not alone.

Wearing orange means a lot. This way people know that she has MS so they are aware and can help. Having the support of so many united together for the cause makes them all Cindy's Heroes. Cindy and her husband Herbie have been leaders in the local MS Walk since 2002 to bring about awareness, support for research and a cure. Many young people came out to support from Sun Coast High School to have a good time for a great cause. She is grateful. Married almost 26 years, Cindy says Herbie has been her rock. Never leaving her side for a moment.

Herbert Hartman: It's ok. We're going to get through this together. That was 11 years ago. We're still here...still going strong.

He realized over the years, and from an international Facebook support page, that everyone knows someone with MS and that you can't tell by looking at them that they may struggle with simple things like getting out of the bed.

Herbert Hartman: I started off a team the 1st year in 2002 of people in my office. It was only a couple..last year my team raised over $10,000.

Herb says the 2013 walk is already in the planning stages. Learn more. Get involved.

Herbert Hartman: The 2012 walk was such a success that the 2013 walk is going to be bigger and better.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the South Florida National MS Society & the 2013 Palm Beach Walk

Join the Fight MS Facebook Support Group

If you know an extraordinary person or extraordinary people making a positive difference in South Florida, email Michele Wright at mwright@cbs12.com or submit your nomination on-line below. We'd love to hear about it.

CLICK HERE to fill out a submission formCBS 12's Extraordinary People: Jupiter couple champion MS Walk with a smile, purpose

Friday, February 15 2013, 03:25 PM EST