MS Progressive Types: The Human Side

It seems to be such a long list, but I am grateful it is not longer. I am grateful that some of thes symptoms give me breaks and that some do not last for long periods at a time. I did not include that I am slow and awkward, but that came with the MS. The list is long enough.

Life Today
Today I am on medical disability retirement. I advocate for MS, disability rights, women's rights, censorship, and world peace among the occasional stray good cause. I spend time with friends and family, sometimes through the Internet where I have met new friends and rediscovered some old ones, sometimes in person with friends, children, grandchildren, and, of course, my life partner. I do surf the Internet, participating in more networks than I can comfortably handle, and making new discoveries that hold my interest for awhile, or perhaps a long while. I play games in hopes of keeping my mind sharp and because it is just fun.

Most of all, I write. I write using voice recognition software or my fancy three-fingered typing style.

David
I first met David when he commented on one of my posts. He has Primary Progressive MS (PPMS), and from his comment I knew he had something interesting to say. David's story helps us understand PPMS.

David suspected he had MS just two weeks after it started. His mother was an MSer so even as a youth he knew what it looked like. There was a year of trying to convince his doctor, taking tests, and taking antidepressants because his symptoms could be caused by depression. Really? Then he finally was told what he knew all along -- he has MS.

Symptoms
David's MS symptoms include extreme difficulty with ambulation. Without a walker, he "wall-walks" by holding onto secure items near him. So far he has lost no upper body strength, speech, or vision. Lucky David.

Life Today
David reminds us that life does not have to revolve around MS, even when MS is particularly aggressive. There are other interests that add joy to our lives. David explains, "I fill my days writing articles about astronomy and finding the best images for the articles. I post them on the SpacePort.us. Once in a while they talk about space there, but most of the time it is just conversation between friends. Since I need to describe how gravity changes the shape of distance and time, I study calculus when I run out of other things to do. While I love watching movies such as the ten year StarGate run, I do not have much time for that any more."

I can attest to his skill finding images. He showed me a galaxy image shot with the Hubble Telescope, and the same galaxy with more color...better then the Hubble Telescope! Look through the Hubble Site Gallery to get an idea of the beauty of astrophotography that David works with every day.

Beverley
I met Beverley as we became friends on Facebook. I asked some questions and used her answers when talking about Living with Progressive MS.

Beverly is very straight to the point. She says when diagnosed, "I felt angry, sad and fearful!."