Heroes and heroines honored at annual conference. (National MS Society).

The audience burst into excited applause as Teri Garr made her entrance at the National Leadership Conference general session on November 21. She was welcomed by David Lander--another Hollywood celebrity already well known for his humor about life with MS--and presented with the special National MS Society Shining Star Award. Both Ms. Garr and Mr. Lander hid their illness for years, preferring people to think almost anything about them except those two words, multiple sclerosis.

"Initially, I chose denial," Ms. Garr said. "People would say, "Why are you limping,' and I'd say, `Oh, am I?" Her symptoms first occurred almost 20 years ago, before disease-modifying drugs were available, and secrecy seemed the best option. "I didn't want to go there," she said.

But in October she decided to take a more active stance. Her decision to go public has already paid dividends in increased awareness and understanding in and outside the MS community--and has led to an outpouring of affection and support from thousands of people who also live with MS.

The award ceremony paid tribute to several other contributors. Lee Richardson, senior vice president of Marketing of the cable TV shopping channel QVC, accepted the Advancing MS Awareness Award for a special sales event, "Cure by the Shore". The program drew a million viewers and raised $900,000 for the Society during one exciting weekend.

Charlotte Robinson-Pritchard of Denver, Colorado, was recognized for her innovative program, Adventures Within. Diagnosed when she was 26, Ms. Robinson vowed not to let MS take away the wilderness adventures she has always loved. To date, more than 200 people with MS have renewed their confidence by participating in her program, where they learn that they too can experience wilderness boating, camping, even trekking, with adaptations tailored to their needs.

Sue Thomas, the real-life woman on whom the new PAX TV series "Sue Thomas, F.B. Eye" is based, was also cheered. Profoundly deaf from the age of 18 months, Ms. Thomas became a top F.B.I. agent, after she persuaded officials that her lip-reading skill could be used to great advantage in analyzing surveillance tapes. Ms. Thomas, who was diagnosed with MS two years ago, was accompanied on stage by her service dog, a marvelous golden retriever named Gracie.