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July 16, 2007 Illness
doesn't deter lawmaker By Jamie Kizzire |
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Like other politicians,
David Grimes gives credit to friends and family for helping him win
elected office. But the state
representative also cites an unusual source of inspiration -- his multiple
sclerosis. "I wouldn't be in
the House of Representatives today if it wasn't for MS. No doubt about
it," said Grimes, R-Montgomery. In August 2000, Grimes
was diagnosed with the disease that attacks the nervous system. Lying on a
couch with an IV in his arm, Grimes thought about the future. "I couldn't move. I
couldn't feed myself. I couldn't write," said Grimes, 54. "So, I
made the promise at that moment that if I ever got back on my feet again,
I was going to run for the House of Representatives." The insurance broker not
only fulfilled that dream, but is serving his second four-year term. He
even talks about a possible bid for Congress in the future. While some might question
why Grimes would subject himself to the strain of office, he sees it as
part of his recovery. "I think my activity
helps me in the healing process," he said. Grimes' symptoms began in
1998 with numbness, problems with his grip and clumsiness. It culminated
with a fall from a ladder as he was cleaning the gutters on his house. The fall left him with a
concussion and eventually a diagnosis that raised more questions than it
answered. "I didn't know a lot
about (multiple sclerosis). Most people don't. I didn't know what my
future was going to hold," Grimes said. "I didn't know if it was
going to be debilitating or if it was going to be something that would
affect me as much as I imagined." Grimes follows a regimen
of injections and pills to manage his condition, but he doesn't see it as
a hindrance to a normal life. "I have certain
things I have to do every day," he said as he received antibiotics
through an IV drip in his arm at his home. "I still have to run my
life. Everybody has something they have to work on." When he made the decision
to run for office in 2002, people who knew him still raised questions. "They thought I was
just delusional. 'Do you have any idea what you're saying? Do you know
what that means? What makes you think that you want to do that?'" he
said. "That's just a natural reaction, I guess." Grimes' campaign pitted
him against Perry Hooper Jr., a political veteran. Yet Grimes beat the
odds. Grimes was open about his
condition, but also showed voters it wouldn't stop him. "I walked every
street in the district and was able to get out and see people and knock on
doors," he said. Since taking office, he's
developed a reputation of saying exactly what's on his mind, said Dick
Brewbaker, a former state representative who served with him. "If you don't want
an honest answer, don't ask Grimes," he said. "He says whatever
is on his mind, whether it's popular or not." Sen. Larry Dixon,
R-Montgomery, said he often contacts Grimes to get information about local
legislation in the House. "David's
quick-witted," Dixon said. "He sees through a gambit so
quickly." Several legislators
praised his work ethic. "He works hard for
his constituents," said Rep. Thad McClammy, D-Montgomery. Rep. Barry Mask,
R-Wetumpka, praised Grimes' convictions. "He's one of those
foxhole guys," he said. "Someone you'd want to have in a foxhole
with you (in battle). I'd want David with me." Grimes looks to U.S. Rep.
Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth, as a role model. He said he would even like to
succeed Everett once Everett leaves office. "I'd love to follow
a man like that," he said. But while he's in the
Legislature, Grimes said he's proud constituents can contact him easily to
discuss their concerns. "I've been
accessible to the people," he said. This past legislative
session was the first time MS kept Grimes from attending a meeting of the
House Commerce committee, of which he is a member. Even then, however,
Grimes was in contact with fellow committee members about what he'd
missed. "He's made up his
mind that he's not going to let (his illness) stop him," Brewbaker
said. Still, Grimes maintains
public service is the best medicine. "I've never
regretted one minute," he said. "That's why I'm not worried
about looking at higher office." |