Alyssa Chryssos, a 12-year-old resident of Old Bethpage, knows more medical terms than most people without a doctorate degree would care to. Her father Dean is battling Multiple Sclerosis. Alyssa wrote the following letter explaining her involvement in the MS Walk to be held in Jones Beach on April 13

"2003 will be the first year I participate in the MS WALK. I will be walking with my mom and brother. I decided to join the MS WALK when I found a brochure in a nearby photo shop. My brother and mom willingly joined in. My mom had always wanted to go to the MS WALK. Besides the MS WALK, I have always tried to help the fight against MS.

"I do care for someone with MS. That person is my father. For my father and others battling MS, I am hoping to raise at least $200. I am raising my money by asking for donations from friends, family and even teachers! I volunteered for this MS WALK because I want my father to get better and I don't want anyone else to be affected. When I walk, my inspiration will be my daddy.

"I was 7 years old when my father was diagnosed with MS. My dad developed balance problems from the nerves wearing down. He tripped often and had to use a cane. I was often asked by friends why my dad needed a cane and I would simply answer, "balance problems," and drop it.

"Unfortunately, my father developed more than balance problems. He often got horrible pains in his jaw while eating or sometimes talking. They scared him and my family. His doctor told us he had trigeminal neuralgia.

"The MS had taken over his trigeminal nerve in his face. Since my dad got these pains frequently while eating, he ate less. A while later my dad had gone underweight by 40 pounds. He decided to have surgery to have the nerve cut. It didn't take long. The doctors could not get to the nerve, so they injected something to numb that part of the face. For a couple of months my dad didn't get any pain, even though the entire right side of his face was numb. When the pains came back, we tried the surgery again, and once again it failed. This time the numbing substance barely lasted a couple of weeks.

"My father decided to have brain stem surgery. He had the surgery and the doctors told us he would be in the hospital for about three days. This surgery happened about a year ago. It was during the summer when I was going into sixth grade. Sadly, the three days turned into over a month. My father had an MS exacerbation while in surgery. When the surgery was over he couldn't walk or feel anything. He was completely numb. No one thought he would walk again. I had to feed him and help him lift himself up like a child.

"Through hard work and faith, he learned how to walk again. He is still handicapped but still getting better. I love my daddy and would walk 20 miles for him! I love you daddy"!

Alyssa's family is very proud of her for writing the letter and also on her dedication to walk and raise money. "I am proud of my daughter," said Joanie Chryssos. "As soon as we picked up the brochures for the walk, she filled it out and started collecting money at school immediately. She has been gung-ho from day one."

The Chryssos family has been an excellent support system for Dean. "It has been a difficult couple of years for the kids. I think it has made them stronger and better people and they certainly are more aware of what goes on around them and how lucky we really are," said Joanie. "There have been times in the last few years where it was very scary and we didn't know whether or not my husband would recover even to the extent that he has now. They were little and they were frightened because it wasn't the daddy that they knew and suddenly Daddy couldn't do a lot of the things that he used to be able to do with them. Getting through that when you are young is tough. They have also seen their father not give in and keep fighting and he has improved so tremendously. While he is very limited in what he can do, he does whatever he can with them. They recognize that and appreciate it."

Alyssa has collected $110 so far, which is more than halfway to her goal of $200. She encourages everyone to walk on April 13. "I am excited about walking and it is something I really want to do for my dad and everyone else," said Alyssa. "My dad is happy that I am walking for him. He is ecstatic that we are doing this for a cause that could help him because he knows what it is like to go through it."

Alyssa is walking with her mom and brother in the MS Walk. "I would like to thank my family and my friend Rachel Bernstein who helped me make the decision to walk and also publicize this issue," said Alyssa.

Since its inception in 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has evolved into a nationwide network of chapters benefiting people with MS in every state. In the 1950s, grass roots efforts here on Long Island resulted in the establishment of offices in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. In 1986, in order to provide more comprehensive coverage and services, these two divisions merged and gave rise to the Long Island Chapter, currently headquartered in Hauppauge.

Today, the Long Island Chapter proudly serves the needs of more than 15,000 people with MS and their families. We are dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS and promoting access to a multitude of programs and services to help individuals lead useful and fulfilling lives. When MS strikes, families can and should turn to our chapter.

The MS WALK is the signature fundraising event of the National MS Society. All funds raised help to support MS research projects and the more than 60 quality-of-life programs and services offered by the Long Island Chapter to people with MS and their families throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Please visit the website at www.nmssli.org or call 631-864-8337 for more information about the walk or to make a donation.