Okay, let me just say I love this show with Jeff Probst. It is about outplaying, outwitting and outlasting your opponents, who are total strangers from all different walks of life. Pretty neat, since it is a game of strategy, psychology and building alliances with people who you don't know from Adam.

Let me start by saying that I would never make it on a show like this. First of all, I have become a non-athlete and a more compassionate player in life. Also, I wouldn't shame my family by donning a skimpy bikini on national television.

I am all about analogies, and even moreso since being diagnosed with MS in August 2007. My fellow comrades know that everyday with this junk is like a version of Survivor, without the glamor and chance to win a million dollars. But think of it: one challenge that I do regularly is pose as a coordinated non-mser in public, putting on a smile and keeping a fairly good pace at the school where I teach, or the mall with my daughter, or going to my kids' activities after working all day. I have also won a few challenges in the supper category: I can whip something up while sitting on my "resting stool" with my cookbooks strewn all over the kitchen. And don't even get me started on the "doctor challenge," waiting for them to return your call, going to MRI's and being in that machine for what seems three days so they can get just the right angle.

My point is, that MS does present it's challenges, and it stinks that we can't win immunity from it even for a day. But, you and I know that the trick to being a survivor in this "MS" world is making it a point each day to push past the pain, the feelings of defeat and wanting to give up: to be a friend, mom, dad, whatever to those around you so that your thoughts are not centered around this disease: that is my challenge, and if it is yours, know that you have an alliance that will not vote you off behind your back. Keep on keeping on!