The Multiple Sclerosis Tapestry: Interviews with People Whose Lives are Affected by MS

Are there any silver linings to having MS?  If there aren't talk about that too.

I'm much more attractive.  Now that I have MS, people always tell me how good I look.  I never heard that from anyone before I had MS! 

Do you believe that we will see a cure for MS in our future?

Absolutely!  I have seen amazing breakthroughs in the last 15 years and continue to be impressed with results coming out of the research community.  It may be too late to repair the damage that already exists in my brain and spinal cord, but I believe that we will find ways to prevent myelin damage within the next 35 years.   

If you could tell all the doctors and neurologists something that they would listen to, what would it be?

I would tell them this:  "There is nothing typical about MS, so don't tell me that my problem is not real just because it is not "supposed" to happen or doesn't happen often or is not the typical pattern." 

Last thoughts? 

MS is as unique as the individuals who have it.  But what we all have in common is each other.  That's why support in all its forms (groups, blogs, chats) is so important.  It's easy to forget to laugh, and support groups can help us to take this disease seriously while not taking ourselves too seriously. 

I have been greatly helped by on-line support communities as well as the face-to-face groups in Maryland and Delaware.  Face-to-face support group meetings are not for everyone.  Some people are afraid of what they'll see or afraid they'll be doom and gloom meetings.  I find them to be fun, and if they aren't fun I won't go back.  At the suggestion of one of the Delaware MS support groups, I now host a twice-monthly chat room in hopes of reaching out to those in the Delaware area who are uncomfortable with meeting face-to-face but still need to connect.  Of course, anyone can join even if they don't live in Delaware just by popping over to my blog on the 2^nd and 4^th Friday of the month between 7:00 - 9:30 pm.    Go to Short in the Cord and look for the coffee mug in the right margin (it says "Enter My Chat Room").