Introducing Two Remarkable Ladies

Autumn has swept in quickly this year, which is great because this is one of my favorite times of year.  I had a post all prepared for you, but have decided to present you with two other resources which have come across my computer screen just recently instead.

Teri Robert, a published expert in Migraines, shared a post regarding Health Reform on MyMigraineConnection.  I spoke with Teri yesterday regarding her activism and appointment as State Policy Liaison for the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) for the state of West Virginia.  (Go Teri!!)  She makes it easy to read an Action Alert from NPAF and to email our Senators to tell them what we really need in any new regulations.  Please hop on over to Teri's post and take some action.

Next, I know that many of you will be able to relate to the story shared today in my friend Jen's post at her blog MS Strength, a post which is highly relevant to our recent discussions of mental health and MS.

"MS: Today I Feel Angry" (excerpt below)

I have to admit that my feelings about my status quo change almost daily. No matter how much I try to rope in my moods and put on a mask of gratitude, I most certainly do not FEEL gratitude every waking moment. Just the nature of the MonSter I suppose.

I’ve become acutely aware of my feelings over the past several years and I notice a pattern: I go through cycles of low-level depression/anger every couple of months. It’s a vicious loop, but I imagine it just goes with my personal situation: being out of the workforce at the tender age of 38. I am not feeling sorry for myself or asking for sympathy, but merely acknowledging how I feel. Feelings ARE legitimate and with multiple sclerosis (or any other chronic illness) they can and WILL fluctuate, depending on the circumstances of the day. So I feel the low simmer of anger today as I sit here and feel underproductive, underutilized, and definitely underpaid! Where went that career I was promised in my early 20’s?…  (read more)

Please go visit these fine ladies.  Happy Friday to you and yours.