Victoria had MSA. Victoria was much more to so many than the disease that would take her too soon.

This is a tribute from her daughter:

First let me start by saying, my mom was not Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). My mom, Victoria Lynn Davis Schneider, was young, in her mid-fifties, just starting to live the life she dreamed of. My mom finally was able to teach, sharing her talent of reading, arts, music, and drama with young children at a nursery school. She loved watching superhero movies, British comedies, and science fantasy movies. My mom always loved creating things, moving from painting figurines to making stationary cards. She started selling her crafts at area craft fairs- where her joy was not in the selling, but the sharing of ideas with other craft enthusiasts. My mom loved reading classic literature and science fiction, which she shared with her children. My mom was a proud grandma of five- sharing her love of crafts, photography, baking, and observing the outdoors. My mom was also a newlywed, marring a gentleman who brought the best out of her. Together, they enjoyed going to the ballet and musicals in Delaware, Philadelphia, and New York City. They regularly enjoyed taking walks in local parks, beaches, and gardens. Together, they loved taking their grandchildren to the zoo and aquarium. My mom proudly watched her grandchildren in performances and sporting events. This is the picture I would like for you to remember.

My mom first started noticing there was something wrong, when she would fall, unexpectedly. She became weak on her feet. Slowly, she started slurring her words. Nothing made sense. She and her husband went to one doctor’s appointment after another, test after test, with no answers. Her walking and speech became more noticeable, taking away her ability to teach. Finally, she saw a specialist, who diagnosed her with Multiple System Atrophy. She learned that there was no cure- with no known treatment or medication. She also learned that she would die from this disease, and only after death, could doctors confirm her diagnosis. She had between 2-7 years left to live.

Slowly, my mom went from a vibrant, flourishing newlywed, to someone who had trouble with daily activities and tasks. She worried that eventually, her body would give up on her. She would be alert, yet unable to vocalize her needs or wants. She spent her days, upstairs in her craft room, crafting, until she could no longer. She read and watched TV, until she started having double vision. Everyday, just to drink, eat, and communicate became a battle for her. She wanted to learn more about this disease and wanted to educate others. She shared information with others, including doctors, who had never heard of this horrible disease. One of her final wishes was to donate her brain to science, to further research efforts. She knew that her time was limited, but she wanted to help others who would come down the same path, to establish a firm diagnosis, develop treatment and finally to find a cure for MSA. When that fateful morning came, and she went home to the Lord, her husband and family shared MSA information to the treating doctor and nurses, who had not heard of it.

While my mom is not MSA, she doesn’t want others to walk alone. She remains with us in spirit, sending us daily reminders of her love. So, thank you for dedicating your time and support to help kick MSA. Thank you for helping individuals who are or will someday have MSA. With knowledge and research, someday, we can kick MSA.

-Elizabeth Farrell

Victoria’s sister, Emily Knowles, started the NoSto Defeats MSA 5K in 2021 to raise funds and much needed awareness within her hometown of North Stonington, CT. The NoSto Defeats MSA 5k is now an ongoing annual event.

Donate to Victoria Schneider’s Legacy Fund Below