Few could experience the chaotic ride actress Mierka Girten has in the past decade and laugh about it. And at themselves. And about Multiple Sclerosis. "I own the right to make fun of MS. I've earned it and I wear it like a badge of honor," laughed Girten who is now in remission. Girten was originally diagnosed with MS in 1992, during her first year of graduate studies in acting at DePaul University. With the support of her family and friends, she was able to continue with classes, audition frequently and maintain a positive outlook about her health. When Girten's mother, Rose Marie, complained of headaches and numbness, it was thought at first to be sympathy pains for her daughter's condition. But a doctor's visit revealed that Rose Marie was also suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. The news sent Girten on a self-destructive pattern of behavior that culminated with a suicide attempt and four days in a coma. During those four days she summoned the strength to wake up and fight MS again. This time her weapon was words.

Comedy became the major coping mechanism Girten used to deal with her MS and the health of her mother. "Not everyone with Multiple Sclerosis experiences the same symptoms. And not everyone copes with MS the same way," stated Girten. "I chose to laugh." She used her personal drama as the backbone of With or Without Wings, a one-woman show which humorously traces her struggles with Multiple Sclerosis.

Over the course of the show, Girten plays herself from elementary school to present, as well as over 15 characters who helped shape her views of herself and MS including doctors, teachers, friends, directors and her mother. But her battle to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis does not stop with Wings.

Along with the side effects, Girten recalled the financial struggles of trying to maintain her career as a professional actress and cover the costs of medical bills and the medications required to treat Multiple Sclerosis. In 1999, she began developing her not-for-profit foundation, Mookie Jam, which raises funds to help benefit other artists with MS. Over the past ten years, artists with visual, musical and theatrical talents have volunteered their time and talents to raise over $60,000 for Mookie Jam.