Health Expert Vicki shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/32873/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/32873/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/32873/index http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/159986/resolutions-week Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:20:17 -0400 Vicki What do you think about New Year’s Resolutions? Did you make one? If yes, how are you doing with that now? The long-time tradition of New Year's resolutions is practiced around the world, usually around the beginning of the year. In my personal blog I wrote about A New Beginning  around 2000 BC when the Babylonians’ resolutions were often returning borrowed farm equipment. Now, New Year’s Resolutions are more likely to... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/159986/resolutions-week http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/157503/ms Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:01:00 -0500 Vicki Did you go out shopping on Black Friday? Cyber Monday? Did you get the bargains you had hoped? Any problems?Thanksgiving began as a celebration when the Pilgrims finally had a successful harvest, and they invited the Native Americans to share because they shared information with the Pilgrims. Since then, it became a day focused on food, love and gratitude. I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving, with whatever traditions you chose to follow. For me... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/157503/ms http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/156838/week Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:08:00 -0400 Vicki In October of 2009, Lisa Emrich wrote a question about Halloween and MS. I thought it was creative, cute and thought-provoking.  So maybe it’s time to re-visit her question. Here it is, exactly as Lisa wrote it then. (Thanks, Lisa.) Halloween with MS: What Costume Represents You?   Welcome to the final week of October!!  The one in which young ghouls and goblins plan their festive activities, while the rest of us try not to... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/156838/week http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/156704/week Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:11:00 -0400 Vicki The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law more than 20 years ago. George H.W. Bush signed the bill in July of 1990. Do you think the ADA is a good law for those of us with disabilities? If yes, why? If no, why not? The ADA was written when disabilities rights groups shared drafts and edits for more than 20 years. After living with the law for awhile, it was clear amendments were needed, so it has been a living law with... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/156704/week http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/155568/goals Mon, 27 Aug 2012 05:46:00 -0400 Vicki What is a personal goal, and how do you think it could be achieved? Some people have more than one goal. I know I do. For example, I have two goals affected by my MS. I have work that must be completed, even though I have limited abilities. Many MSers have a similar situation. As my disabilities increase, I try to focus on my abilities. I have a hospital table over my bed that holds my laptop and mouse. Whenever I am awake, even for a few... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/155568/goals http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/154913/week Mon, 30 Jul 2012 05:32:00 -0400 Vicki July has five Mondays, so I asked Garry to fill in for this “extra” week. Here is his question -- What is something a caregiver should know to do a better job? I did not choose caregiving as a profession; rather, it came to me by circumstance. When Vicki’s MS had progressed to a point, I became her full-time caregiver. As the disease progresses, I realize how much I do not know about my role. I’m sure there are many tips... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/154913/week http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/154761/week Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:19:00 -0400 Vicki Is “Obamacare” good for America? On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the Obamacare mandate is constitutional. This mandate requires citizens to purchase health care insurance, and if they don’t buy it they can be penalized with a tax. What the Supreme Court struck down was the part about the Medicaid expansion plan. As I understand it, this put more of the burden of paying for Medicaid on the states, and most states... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/154761/week http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/152563/obama Tue, 01 May 2012 11:34:00 -0400 Vicki The 2010 "Obamacare" Health Care law controversy has been argued in front of the Supreme Court, and now it is being protested in front of the building. Which side do you support?   Let's take a look.   People who agree with the bill and want to keep it intact say it will save us all money and reduce the deficit. Everyone wants to save money. It has been called a historic victory. They say it lowers health care costs and protects us... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/152563/obama http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/151467/montel Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:23:00 -0400 Vicki What happens when celebrities have MS? Just like most MSers, celebrities handle their MS diagnoses in many different ways. Let's look at two famous MS advocates who handle their activism as uniquely as they achieved their celebrity. First is Teri Garr, then Montel Williams. Teri Garr Teri Garr is an actress who started as a back-up dancer in many different programs and movies, including nine films for Elvis Presley. In 1974, she... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/151467/montel http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/151590/health Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:04:00 -0400 Vicki This week the Supreme Court is hearing arguments over Health Care legislation, also known as Obamacare. How does this affect those of us with MS, or does it? What do you think?   As I understand it, the question being considered focuses on the individual mandate and if it is constitutional. There are more detailed questions that will lead to the answer, but all of the arguments are about that mandate.   There are probably hundreds of... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/32873/151590/health