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St. Louis County recognizes Oct. 17 as World HSP and PLS Day
Summary
The County Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 as World Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) and Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) Day and invited residents to join awareness efforts; a foundation representative described diagnostic delays and local cases.
The Saint Louis County Council voted to adopt a resolution recognizing Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, as World Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) and Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) Day.
Council Member Baker introduced and read the resolution noting that HSP and PLS are rare, progressive neurological disorders that can cause significant disability and that the international patient and research community has designated the date to raise awareness and accelerate research. Councilwoman Vangert moved for adoption and a second was recorded; a roll call showed six ayes and one absence and the resolution was adopted.
Mary Schultz, who described herself as affiliated with "SBF" and the Paraplegia Foundation, spoke after the adoption. "It might it took me 10 years to get diagnosed," Schultz said, describing a long diagnostic delay. She estimated the condition affects about 200,000 people worldwide and said "maybe a thousand people in Missouri and 10 or 12 people in Saint Louis County," noting that exact local counts are approximate.
The resolution directs the administrative director to send a certified copy to the named paraplegia foundation as a token of the council's appreciation and encourages residents to support affected individuals and families and to raise awareness.
No budget appropriation or specific county program funding was attached to the resolution on the record.
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