Fearing that his disease could cost him roles in the competitive world of show business, Lander decided to keep his diagnosis to himself. "When I started walking again and they discharged me from the hospital, I told my wife we must keep this a secret," said Lander. "I didn't want to test the waters by saying "Hey, I have MS." I figured maybe I'd get a movie of the week now and then, but that would be it. So the secret was kept."
But after fifteen years of silence, David Lander made a decision to go public with his news. He has written a book chronicling his life with MS, titled Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn't Tell Nobody.
Lander also talks with people across the country about his personal experiences living with MS, and discusses the benefits of early and regular treatment. "I think that it's important that people -- especially newly diagnosed people -- see that you can function with this thing," said Lander. "It isn't the end of the world. There are treatments for it now. You can start early, a lot earlier than I did, and you can live a good, useful, creative existence."
One part milk one part Pepsi... two parts courage. Here's to you Squiggy!
