Schnabel is a Detroit native and worked as a computer programmer in Ohio. The father of four grown daughters in Ohio, he moved to Florida in 1987. Schnabel began noticing symptoms when he was in his late 20s. He began stumbling and his speech became slurred. But eight doctors and 10 tests later, it was determined to be multiple sclerosis.
Difficulty walking generally is the first problem.
Loss of vision, double vision, loss of balance and weakness in an arm or a leg also may occur. Numbness or tingling in the fingers and problems of coordination also are common. The disease, which attacks the nervous system, will continue to cause worsening complications. There is no cure. Schnabel had to stop driving when he moved to Florida.