Want to be a Pedal Partner?

Tyler Hamilton, a professional bicycle racer and an Olympic gold medalist, unites cyclists from around the world to raise awareness and funds for MS. This year MSIF is collaborating with Global 2006 from September 15 - 22 in Switzerland, Italy and France to support MS research.

Each participant will be cycling for an MSer "pedal partner." If you are interested in being a pedal partner, contact Michelle Leighton.

The Tyler Hamilton Foundation is dedicated to promoting health and personal empowerment through cycling.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, msif, global2006, activemser, tylerhamilton, cyclist, bicycleracing

Cruising with MS

Planning to take a cruise?

What about 500 miles and 7 nights a sailing the waterways from Seattle to Skagway, Alaska, while participating in an innovative program at sea for MSers? The educational programs, led by renowned MS specialists and motivational speakers, are enhanced by all the amenities associated with a luxury cruise ship.

Sounds like a Cruise for a Cause!

In June 2007, hundreds of MSers, family, friends, and caretakers will be stopping at exotic Alaskan ports of call while cruising on the Royal Caribbean's "Vision of the Seas."

Check out the MSF Cruise for a Cause. We could all use a cool summer break.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, cruise, msf, alaskancruise, downthemspath

MSers can be sexy, too

Do you want to raise funds but don’t know how? Here is a lady who raises donations at no cost to herself. Besides the money she shows people that MS has not robbed her of her sexuality. What began as a bar bet has turned into a successful ongoing fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre by simply showing pictures of her boobs.

In addition to her photos, Vix links to some pretty good MS sites including personal sites with stories and a few other sites that use breast pictures to raise money for their causes.

It must be worth it -- she has raised over $10,000 since 2004. Read the comments for viewers takes on the site. They demonstrate an appreciation of her effort as well as an appreciation of her body. The donation page recognizes those who have given.

Thank you Vix for an innovative idea to support your favorite MS organization.

technorati tags: Ms, multiplesclerosis, sexy, fundraising, boobs

Fatigue

Most MSers have it. What can we do about it? MSIF reports on three fatigue studies.

The first study looks at the relationship of fatigue with sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbance is often caused by treatable symptoms. Sleep better at night and you’ll have enough energy to get through the day? Maybe.

The second study suggests fatigue is simply biological and therefore possibly treatable with hormones.

The third study evaluates the screening tools for the impact of fatigue on an MSer’s daily life.

I am just a regular MSer with no special training in reading research study papers. Some of the papers make sense, but I don't get much out of others. I still read them. These summaries tell me progress is being made in the search for answers to lighten our daily burden.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, research, fatigue, msif

Assistive Technology

Do you need help in your daily life at home, school, work? The Central Coast Assitive Technology Center is a team of rehabilitation technologists that help determine the best devices and ergonomics for you if you live near the central California coast. If, like me, you don't, the links are still quite useful.

You have a computer (I know because you are reading this) so check out the links to make your computer even friendlier. There are specific lists for PCs as well as Macs. Or look at the long list of shareware. You are bound to find something good.

From these links, I found the Trace Center which is designing a usable world for all. ALL -- that includes you and me. The world is all around, we may as well take advantage of it.

technorati tags: ms, multiplechlerosis, usableworld, assistivetechnology, computeraccessibility

Games for Wheelers

What if you want to play tennis, but you're sitting in a chair?

No problem. There are many wheelchair tennis tournaments; and there are chairs made especially for tennis. Check out Wheelcair Tennis and see if it's for you.

And what about pool? The National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association says it can be done. And pool is played in air conditioned rooms!

If you want to do something, somebody else probably wants to do it, too. Maybe somebody else is already doing it, just waiting for you to join in. Have fun!

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, wheelchairtennis, wheelchairpoolplayers, wheelchairrecreation

Meeting Life's Challenges

Everybody has challenges, but we MSers seem to have more than our share. I was looking on the MyAmigo website and linked to Meeting Life’s Challenges. This is one worth visiting.

The site’s mission is to offer practical lifestyle information, helpful strategies, and motivation for people whose lives have been affected by chronic illness and disability.

Read Shelley’s blog where Shelley Peterman Schwarz chronicles her journey with MS. Or look at Shelley’s articles or books.

They offer free teleclasses about relationships, lifestyle and medical situations. Do you have a teleclass to present? Contact Shelley. Read about the web staff under where each person tells a first-hand story of experience with chronic disease. Look at Deborah’s site where she offers her art and offers to take your own picture and return impressionist art.

Do you have a tip? Share it.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, amigo, meetinglifeschallenges

I am lucky with my MS

When I think about it, I know I am lucky.

DIAGNOSIS
After the years of trying to find out what was wrong, I almost welcomed the diagnosis. It had a name. There are worse possibilities -- I have MS.

SYMPTOMS
I have secondary progressive, so I don’t remit. But my progression is very slow. V-e-r-y slow. Very lucky.

CHILDREN
The luckiest part has to do with my children. By the time I knew what my problem was, my boys were teenagers in high school, old enough to understand, old enough to help with things. In my Newly Diagnosed group, I met a young mother with very young children. She had family in town as well as a helping husband, but I remember wondering how she did it.

Every time I meet or read about an MSer mother, again I wonder, how does she do it? Raising children is not ever easy, but with MS I don’t know how they do it.

Amanda is 26 and has 4 children! Her blog My Complications rants about daily life. She links to a Progressive MS bulletin board she helps manage on her sidebar along with a link to her recommendation of an online support group.

And let’s not forget that men get MS, too. WhiteLightning is the blog of a young father, who writes in a fun story-telling style.

My admiration goes out to you.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, diagnosis, children, lucky, progressivems, downthemspath

Tune in to Montel

The Faces of MS is slated for airing Monday, August 7 on the Montel Williams Show. This TV show is syndicated. Be sure to check your local listings.

Emmy Award winner Montel Williams hosts a talk show with provocative topics aimed at helping real people with real problems. Diagnosed with MS in 1999, he has dedicated a full show to MS awareness every year since, and this year's awareness program is tomorrow.

In addition to his television work, Montel is active in the fight against the disease and the search for a cure. The Montel Williams MS Foundation provides financial assistance to organizations conducting research and educating the public. He even joined country singer Hal Ketchum and toured last summer to raise money for MS.

Williams was a much-honored US Naval Intelligence Officer, actor, author, motivational speaker and counselor. He is still active in speaking, acting, and advocacy through his TV show and beyond.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, montel, montelwilliams, downthemspath

Tomorrow's Going To Be a Better Day

Gayle Lewis, an MSer from Spring Hill, Florida, is a Brighter Tomorrow Grant recipient. She created glass crystal and sterling bracelets that reflect multiple colors representing the MS symptoms. Each handmade bracelet is a symbol of hope.

Jennifer Bonini of Tinley Park, Illinois, an MSer since 2004 created and now sells magnets to increase MS awareness. Magnets cost just $6.00 and are suitable for refrigerator or car or any magnetic surface. She also offers holiday cards with the MS Foundation mission printed on the back.

A portion of every sale goes to the MS Foundation Brighter Tomorrow Grant fund.

The Brighter Tomorrow Grant fund improves MSers' quality of life with goods or services to enhance self-sufficiency and well-being. The grant is a wish-based program not based solely on finances. Applicants do supply basic financial information along with a brief essay telling how the grant could provide a brighter tomorrow.

Apply by October 1st.

technorati tags: MS, multiplesclerosis, BrighterTomorrowGrantProgram, qualityoflife, hope, bracelet, magnet, holidaycard, msawareness

Who’s pushing your buttons?

Maybe someone should be. Maybe you can push your own buttons.

The traditional Chinese medical practice of acupressure, even when self-applied, increases alertness and reduces sleepiness.

To learn more about acupressure, visit the National Institute of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. MS Focus has published a 24-page booklet on this topic specifically for MSers. Request the booklet by email at support@msfocus.org.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, acupressure, sleepiness, alertness

Get Ready to Honor your Caregiver

National Family Caregivers' Month is November. The MS Foundation is hosting its 5th annual MS Caregivers' Night Out contest with a free dinner for two at the restaurant of their choice for the winners.

Nominate your special caregiver in a story of 100 words or less. Submit your story by email to homecare@msfocus.org or through regular mail to:
The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 N. Andrews Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

The winning story will be published in the Autumn issue of MSFocus.

Nominations are accepted until September 1st. Any questions? Call 1-888-673-6287.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, caregiver, contest