Can you edit your posts? I meant "too" hard, not "to" and you can click the link in green to read the blog.

I really enjoyed reading your article, as I can definitely relate! Sometimes you're right, reading those MS magazines that have models on them (who lets face it, probably don't have MS in the first place) can be quite depressing. Thank you for sharing.

I was 19 when I was diagnosed (I'm now 26) and using a cane and sometimes a wheelchair can be so incredibly difficult, especially because I'm young. Its even more difficult when these "spokes people for MS" can do all sorts of things like climb mount everest... when I struggle daily just to get ready for the day. My young friends do not understand that these people do not represent all of us. Each of our MS experiences are completely unique. Thanks for providing some perspective.

Wonderful!!!!

I enjoyed your blog and the Montel interview. I am very glad someone had the courage to say we are all not like you! He seems to be very understanding of the complexity of how this disease affects us!


Thank you for sharing!

no your not being hard on him your speaking the truth about that. he makes it seem all so easy

Love it!!! Very well said. Sent it to the MS Society. I mean seriously.
I have written to the CEO/President of the MS society, her email address is Cyndi@nmss.org. She has written me back three times. Of course I am complaining about something and she writes back some positive BS. "I am happy to hear from you...." and more BS. She glosses over everything but at the back page of the MS Magazine, she has a letter and it has her email address. I am so tired of them always having positive stories about how many thousands $$ someone raised at an event or how well they are doing. You would think that everyone is doing great. But we know better.

Please write her and tell her your story. She needs to hear it. Also, send it to your Chapter President. I sent a complaint back to them with their letter asking for money. I told them i want such and such addressed before I give them any money. We have to advocate and you have a great post. Please pass it on to the MS Society.

Best,
Esther

Thanks, Esther. I will do that.

I called the MS Society for help finding a doctor. And the ones on their list are just neurologists that agree to see patients. Not actually qualified doctors. And even some of them refused to see me. It is a list of some bad doctors. I tried to complain, but to no avail. All they said, is they just have a list of doctors who will take patients.

Are we expecting too much for them to give us this type of help?

I loved that you where so honest. I also feel the same, why only show the good, is the bad just too scary, well, if it is, it is a fact of life.

Loved readingt this, Tara. I try to look on the bright side a lot but I sure do share the same frustrations. And what did Montel do about that confrontation at the airport? He used it to sell another book! I don't begrudge the guy, but I do get tired of everyone trying to make money off of our hope for a normal existence too.

I read your article and I have to say, we are not all at the same level. I can barely walk, my daughter can do many things to make a hike possible,, cooling vest, walking sticks, resting the day prior, having someone to drive, hydrating well, taking extra pills.
That doesn't make my ms different from hers, we are just at different levels of handicap. Different challenges.

I don't mind infomercials because there are a million of them telling us how happy we will be with their product.

I got Montel s blender as a gift when I got dx,,, well,, thats the best blender ever, regardless of what I decide to blend, like cream cheese, spices and garlic to spread over corn chips.
Stress makes ms worst, then why even think about them.

I hear you. . . It is hard to come across examples like Montel or the girl hiking to the top of the mountain. It gives people (like my sister) or even myself the (maybe incorrect) idea that if I work hard at it I can climb a mountain too! They are probably those who have an episode once, and then it remits forever. Lucky them.
Hey, don't be down about the cane. I have a few now. They are all of the type that can be folded, but silly really. I used to hide my cane as much as possible in my bag, but I stopped over a year ago. The way I try to look at it is that it gives me some independence back and helps keep me from falling on my face (knock on wood, haven't done it since I started using mine)!

Hi

Research Nick Vujicic,,, we can have a different perspective when its not so close to home.

Great article Tara. I didn't see anything negative about your article, you just told the truth. Being positive is different than being unrealistically hopeful. People mix these two all the time.

Being positive is to know the facts and wanting to deal with it.

Thanks for posting that article.