Breaking News: National Registry bill passes House

Per an email I just received from that National Multiple Sclerosis Society, HR1362 has passed in the House of Representatives. It's not over yet, though...we still have to get the Senate to act. The Senate is supposed to take up their version of the bill soon...Stay tuned for details!

MS Activism: Stand Up and Be Counted!

The national registry may be alive! We may be able to finally be counted! The email I just received from the National MS Society's activism team is asking the MS community to write their congress-person and urge the passage of H.R. 1362,the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act, which will take a count of those with MS and other neurological diseases.

To my mind this would be a great first-step, long overdue, and it may shed some real light on MS and those afflicted. I believe when the numbers start coming in there will be a renewed sense of urgency to helping the MS community.

I just emailed my congressman (Mike Pence,R.,Indiana). It was easy to do, right from the National MS Society's website. I urge everyone to take a few minutes to do this, as this bill is currently being worked this session!

Click the title of this posting above.

Good Things in Life Take a Long Time

A lot of good has happened overall this past 18 months, despite the difficulties of MS. I put forth a tremendous amount of effort that, at times, I felt I didn't have, in order to "push through" obstacles and impasses, both real and perceived. Whether it was adjusting to medications, or physical therapy, or even dealing with some of the cognitive and interpersonal relations challenges due to the disease I have met each one head-on. Sometimes it was more like a head-on crash, but I got though each and every instance no apparent worse for the wear.

The result is, 15 months after finally being diagnosed and starting treatment I am "settling in" to my MS. I have learned to pace myself. I have learned to work within routines (helps with my short-term memory challenges). I have learned to better organize myself and my things so that I can find them but also not forget that I have them. And definitely sticky-notes are my friend.

I have changed multiple things so far about my diet, a process that is ongoing. Working with voc rehab continues. I don't know what cases MS, no one does. I don't actually know whether the medicines are helping or not. No one does. But this much I do know: I'm not going down without a fight, and as long as I draw breath I'll keep searching.

Anderson/Madison County National MS Society Self-Help Support Group Meeting September 16

The Anderson/Madison County National MS Society's self-help support group will meet this month on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7pm in the Bennett Rehab dining room at St. John's.

We welcome all who are affected by MS, whether you are a patient, or caregiver, or loved one. This group meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month at this location. We often have a guest speaker, and this month is no exception (although I don't know who is speaking).

We allow a discussion either before or during our meeting as well, and it's a good chance to learn and share with others who are living with MS. Please come join us!