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MS Society of Canada - News in Research on A Home-Based Walking Program Using Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation Improves Gait Performance in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study
MS Society of Canada - News in Research
This report is great NEWS because "I Like To Move It"
I am so excited by this report - " I feel Like Dancing"
and I'm "Staying Alive" and this is good NEWS!
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NEW - MS PRAYER CORNER
MS Lone Star Classified has a place to post your prayer requests. Please follow the rules. All requests should be for MS Survivors and their families.
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MEMORIES - AT THE GAME
I would like to Blog a story about living my life, with MS, for over 20 years.
In 1993, I had kids in high school. Like most athletic high school boys they played sports, in Texas, that's mostly football. I remember, it was a Homecoming game night and it was pretty special for one of my sons. He was a senior playing on the Varsity Team that year! His position was, starting offensive lineman, center #55. I had looked forward to this, since I had taken him to all his Little League games and practices, from the age of 10. I was determined, I was not going to miss this game for the world!
But, as you well know, having MS and being in a football stadium, full of screaming kids and loud high school bands, is not compatible. Nor, at that time, very wheelchair accessible. So, my husband rolled me out on the football field, home team sidelines, in my wheelchair. But, they would not allow him to stay with me. I remember wondering, "How do I look, do I look OK?" I am wearing the school colors of black and gold, sporting and supporting. I remember thinking, I'm sitting out here, in my chair all alone, all the other people are up in the stands, including my husband! I remember thinking, shoots, I hope I don't have to go to the potty. That was before I had gotten my independence with a power chair. I even worried that, by being AT THE GAME, I was embarrassing my son! But, I got over it! Not only did I sit there, in my wheelchair, I had the nerve to try and cheer the team to victory! "Fight team fight, Go team go! Yeah Bears!" I believe they won that night, but I'm not sure, and that's just the point! I don't really remember if they won or loss the game. What I remember is after the game, on the way home, us talking with our son, who was sitting in the back seat of the car. Telling him, "You had a great game. You really looked good out there!" Then I asked, "Did I embarrass you by being out there on the sidelines in my chair?" And him saying, "No, not at all, Mom. There are some guys who did not have one parent AT THE GAME. Let alone, one who put themselves out front, on the sideline, cheering for them!"
So, on days when having MS is kicking my butt! Or on days, when MS is a struggle and takes major effort, I think about this:
I may not be able to hang with the crowd. I might even be alone on the sidelines of the field. But, I am AT THE GAME, and I'm cheering my team on to victory from the sidelines!
So, let me encourage you! Do whatever you can to the best of your ability. The reward is, someday you will have sweet MEMORIES, that you did not miss being AT THE GAME!
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HELP FOR THE CAREGIVER
What a great read! This book is a candid look at the affects of Multiple Sclerosis from the Caregivers point of view. But most of all it is a great look at a couples adaptation to life's hurdles as a team. I have been blessed to have a great partner in this fight. But, how do you manage living with MS whether you are alone or with a caring partner?
You start by learning everything you can about the disease and the resources that are available to those with the disability. As well as things that will empower the Caregivers, whom are as affected by the disease as the patient. Fear of the unknown can be as disabling as the disease itself.
You can save yourself some time if you read about the experiences of others with MS and apply those techniques that works for you. Think of it as part of your medical treatment. You will become capable of asking questions of your physician about treatment and able to explain relevant symptoms. For example, from reading this book I learned that sensitivity to salt was a MS trait also. Now I know I should mention this to my neurologist as well as my family doctor. This tip is just one of many in the book.
A surprise feature of this book is the journal page after each chapter, to add your personal notes.
Please enjoy this find and be sure to post your thought here on MS Scars to Stars.
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'Multiple Sclerosis Headline News'
'Multiple Sclerosis Headline News'
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MS SCARS 2 STARS AND A DOZEN EGGS
On average our MS Self Help Group Meeting has about 12 people in attendance, which is the typical size of most groups. Like a dozen eggs. The members usually are Patients and Caregivers that are looking for support in coping with this illness. As an attendee at your first group meeting you may feel as fragile as an egg, and if you were recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, you may feel more like Humpty Dumpty! I would like to blog the following topic: How do you really feel about MS Self Help Group meetings?
What would help make a MS Self Help Group more exciting and appealing ? When you read the phrase MS Self Help Group, what thought first comes to mind? What are some of your concerns on attending a Self Help Group meeting? Would you like to only attend meetings with people who have similar abilities or disabilities? Are you comfortable sharing with Caregivers attending your SHG (Self Help Group) meeting or would you prefer MS patients only? Do you fear sharing your diagnosis in the SHG because of a lack of privacy? Would you rather SHG meetings were held by a professional speaker on an educational format only? What do you think of groups that restrict their attendance by gender or age?
In researching the story of Humpty Dumpty for this blog I found that the original Humpty Dumpty was actually a large cannon that was sat on top of a wall, not a obese person portrayed as a cartoon egg that topples to the ground and is shattered! In fact, the fortress wall the cannon was seated upon was toppled and the protection and advantage that the cannon afforded in battle was lost. The historical event of the siege of the city of Colchester in 1648, is fact. Read the entire story. But as the poem goes, 'All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again!' No one was able to get the cannon back on top of another part of the wall. Likewise the uniqueness of a Self Help Group is You gather information and You gain understanding about coping with Ms from what others share, Medical Professionals as well as other Patients. We are responsible for our own well being, that's why the meetings are called "Self Help" Group. We may have broken Nerve Axons, see Myoptumhealth.com, but we are not cracked and broken fragile eggs!
Thanks for sharing by posting your response on this blog.
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Check out my @constantcontact newsletter
Check out my @constantcontact newsletter
Look for our LIVE Webinar announcement coming soon!
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YES WE CAN
My first experience at camp - Camp Can Do in Burton, Texas this past weekend was a great experience that I will not soon forget. The weekend adventure for those suffering from the effects of MS was an uplifting experience to recharge and encourage us with a get-a-way from the usual day to day. It lifted our morale by giving us a sense of independenc and confidence that (with some assistance) we can do it! A good time was had by all in spite of MS. For me this was also a birthday weekend and I was determine to do something that I had never done before, a bucket list sort of thing, and I did. One such thing was shooting targets with paint-balls! (Shown Above)
And yes, we do know how to party! There are many other pictures of the event. I will post the link as soon as it is available.
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MS or ADD?
Maybe both and the same. I have finally found a name for my condition of being frustrated with everything! I think that the effects of MS in my life has caused somewhat of an Attention Deficit Disorder minus the Hyperactivity.
According to the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) some common symptoms of ADHD include: often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes; often has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks; often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly; often fails to follow instructions carefully and completely; losing or forgetting important things; feeling restless, often fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming; running or climbing excessively; often talks excessively; often blurts out answers before hearing the whole question; often has difficulty awaiting turn.
Please keep in mind that the exact nature and severity of AD/HD symptoms varies from person to person. Approximately one-third of people with AD/HD do not have the hyperactive or overactive behavior component, for example
Well, I guess that's why they call it Multiple Sclerosis. Please visit this site Everyday Challenges to view a great video
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Did You Miss Me?
So, where have I been? I have been side tracked! Have you ever had a plan and shared it with someone and they use their influence to persuade you to do what they think is best for you?
Well boys and girls I have had that happen to me, it's called "side tracked." The only thing that saves me from totally abandoning my plans is that I have been down this road before, and it looks familiar.
I was told, "Since you are obviously feeling well enough to try Yoga, why don't you go into Rehab, after all this is a specialized program for people with your condition and illness."
Well, I am willing to try both; I just don't think I am physically able to do both. I thought I had it all figured out. I would take some physical therapy lessons from a qualified trainer and therapist along with a weekly Yoga lesson and see if I felt better. I like my plan. I think that it will work for me. So, I'm back to working my plan. And even though doctors do know best, if I don't follow the regiment that they have planned for me then the results will be minimal at best. Not to mention that the cost for rehabilitation treatment is far greater than what I am trying on my own. Even though, I am blessed to have the insurance coverage, I could very easily and quickly use my entire annual allowance for therapy in a hospital or clinic. And with MS you never know what might happen. You may need rehab treatments due to an emergency Exacerbation of MS. So, I'm sticking with the original plan for now.
I also have grown to realize that I need to work on my independence for transportation to my lesson appointments. This will be a side topic I will report on in my journey. I think I'll call it "The Get Around". So, look for those blogs. As always your comments on any of my posts are welcome.
I'm back!
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