It's Not Nice Being This Disabled

Herrard from Amsterdam was diagnosed with MS about a year ago. She sent an email about a week ago and included her blog address. The one I read is in English -- not her first language, but beautifully written. I have been reading, and re-reading.

She talks about things we have all felt:

• fighting with bureaucracy, trying desperately to remain independent, or as independent as possible
• helplessness, hopelessness, fear, rage
  
• intimacy issues
• spasms
  
• going to the bathroom, showering
• getting dressed
• isolation, feeling trapped inside
• asking for help and the unfairness of NEEDING to ask for help

Many of us have lived through these daily tasks and had the same thoughts and feelings, but Herrard writes about them so we feel them again. My heart goes out to her, and I feel so close to her, she is my 'comrade-in-arms' against MS, she is me.

Read her poem, but read it aloud, quietly, slowly, thoughtfully. One commenter said he wished he could hear it in her own voice -- yes, but I thought I did. Another said it was powerful -- yes, as is the entire blog. Other MSers can relate with her daily life and with the feelings she has communicated so well. People without MS can understand.

St. Patrick and MS

March is Irish American Month. More specifically, today is St. Patrick's Day, a celebration of all things Irish.

What does that have to do with MS?

Ireland has the highest percentage of population with MS -- by far. When Garry was working with MSIF statistics of reported MS, he found Ireland had the highest numbers of all 60 or so countries. Almost twice the UK. More than twice the US.

He wonders why. So do I.

What Does MS Look Like?

Joyce Tennyson has always believed that art should change the world. Her new photography exhibit currently in Rome called The Image of MS is a collection of portraits of MSers. She hopes her work will challenge public perceptions and encourage the newly diagnosed to seek treatment.

Tennyson was named Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2005 by The Lucie Awards and was voted among the 10 most influential women in the history of photography by readers of the American Photo Magazine.

Make Your Mark on the Wall

This is really neat. Now make your mark and add it to the wall. I practiced with the marker, but have not yet decided what to do. What have others done?

Look at the Wall to see how our fellow MSers have left their mark in the movement to eradicate MS. There are 25 marks on each page; so far, 716. You can page through the marks or go directly to a member's mark, and see the marker drawing their mark.

Finally, a chance to have some fun with MS!

MS Awareness

The MS Awareness Foundation has two major goals in its mission to provide a rewarding lifestyle experience for MSers.

First is educating the public, especially MSers, their family and friends. They concentrate on dispelling myths, focusing on diagnosis and treatment. They present techniques for accepting the diagnosis as well as coping techniques.

The second goal seems to be providing information on an exercise program, for sale in a video and DVD format.

The web site provides details on MS diagnosis, MS symptoms, and targeted exercises developed specifically for MSers. There are links to organizations in the US and the UK.