Monthly Archives: April 2009

Blue!

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I’ve always liked this Keats sonnet. It is actually a response to a JH Reynolds sonnet about the beauty of dark eyes. I just happen to enjoy it for its tranquil qualities, much as I like the soothing color blue. It’s about 80 degrees here already (a little TOO warm in my opinion), but the sky is periwinkle and the sea is dark blue….

Google Images

Blue! ‘Tis the life of heaven,—the domain
Of Cynthia,—the wide palace of the sun,—
The tent of Hesperus, and all his train,—
The bosomer of clouds, gold, gray, and dun.
Blue! ‘Tis the life of waters:—Ocean
And all its vassal streams, pools numberless,
May rage, and foam, and fret, but never can
Subside, if not to dark-blue nativeness.
Blue! gentle cousin of the forest-green,
Married to green in all the sweetest flowers—
Forget-me-not,—the blue-bell,—and, that queen
Of secrecy, the violet: what strange powers
Hast thou, as a mere shadow! But how great,
When in an Eye thou art alive with fate!

Posted in Blog

Barbara Brave is an Active MS Patient

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Barbara Brave, whom I had the honor of interviewing for the February 2009 issue of New Mobility, has been living with multiple sclerosis for the past 14 years. Previously residing in Roanoke, Virginia, she moved back to New Jersey about eight years ago to be close to family members after experiencing an acute attack that required extensive rehabilitation.

Barbara now resides at the Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus and she relishes her close-knit family as well as the new friends she’s made there. “I like to tell other residents that I’m ‘moving with motivation’ or I’m ‘exhilaratingly energetic’ to brighten their days,” she says.

Barbara also stays active with the National MS Society’s NJ Metro Chapter by putting together and sending their mailings at their local office. The chapter makes a big effort to employ medical center residents in volunteer positions, and transports them to and from functions. Recently Barbara participated in a Metro Chapter fashion show, part of an annual fundraiser that is known as the Women on the Move Luncheon. She was the only model to display her fashions from her wheelchair. “It was a grand and glorious day,” says Barbara. “I modeled one outfit and jewelry and I went slowly around the perimeter of the runway.”

Barbara reveals her sources of motivation to keep active and enthusiastic: “I have a wonderful family and a group of friends I can rely upon.”

Posted in Others' MS Stories

My Interview at Multiple Sclerosis Central

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I’ve been off of the radar lately, and not due to lousy health but because of the TONS and TONS of reading, writing, and discussing I have to do for my online Abnormal Psychology class. It’s been very interesting but time-consuming. That said, I’m ready to sign up for my next class this fall: Personality Theory. I’m hoping to learn more about the ins and outs of introversion/extroversion and what makes us act like we do….why, Why, WHY? LOL

On the topic of MS: I am currently featured at Merely Me’s Multiple Sclerosis Central site as the latest MS patient profile. I’ve given some insight into my various symptoms, my long road to diagnosis, my philosophies for coping, and my “words of wisdom” to neurologists/medical staff. If you have a moment, please feel free to check it out.

Now onto a new article here, because I am COMPLETELY behind….

Posted in Blog, News / Research

MSAA: Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

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A great multiple sclerosis resource has been around since 1970: the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA.) Headquartered in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, the association has various regional offices throughout the United States and its main functions are to inform, empower, and assist MS patients and their families/friends. The following are some of the MSAA’s main services:

Programs and Services:

This is a link to such services as a toll-free telephone helpline, reassurance calls, a lending library, information about support groups, events and classes, an MRI assistance fund, information about barrier-free housing, an equipment (including cooling devices) lending service, and program applications.

News Center:

Access the latest multiple sclerosis information here. Learn more about the MSAA, find out about current research, MS-related organizations, frequently asked questions (FAQ’s), and access the MSAA’s news archive.

MSAA Publications:

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America has a quarterly, free publication: The Motivator. It also has various, free booklets and brochures that cover such topics as depression, complementary and alternative medicines, wellness tips, cooling devices, the MRI assistance program, and MSAA’s services and programs.

Life Lessons: MSAA’s Life Coaching Blog:

This is a fairly new component to the MSAA’s website. A group therapist and life coach provides life coaching sessions (via telephone) and she writes about helpful tips and tricks to live fully and realistically with multiple sclerosis.

Regional Offices:

Contact an MSAA regional branch near you.

Posted in MS and Assistive Devices, News / Research

Walk MS

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It’s April and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Walk MS fundraising event is in full swing. There are many opportunities for walking participants to raise money and support MS research. You can walk as an individual or as part of a team (both as family/friends or as a corporate group.) There are also many volunteering opportunities available to help make the walk days run smoothly. Access these links for more information:

Find a Walk MS near you: This page helps walkers find local MS walks in their areas. There are regional and zip code breakdowns that make the process easy. There are links to register for walks, sponsor walkers, and also to donate.

Challenge Walk: Find one of the nine national challenge walks, which log 30-50 miles over a 2 to 3 day timeframe.

Send a Walk MS eCard: This page allows a participant to email family, friends, coworkers, and so on about registering to walk, joining teams, sponsoring him or her, and thanking sponsors after a walk.

My Participant Center (visit your chapter website and login): A place to email fundraising materials to sponsors, check fundraising progress, and communicate with other team members.

Team Up for More Fun: Find out how to create a team and be a Walk MS team captain. Tips and tools are included.

Volunteer: This is the route I’ve taken for the past three years. I help set up and man the registration tables, then welcome walkers back for the appreciation barbeque. Learn how you can volunteer at a walking event.

Posted in Fundraising Info, News / Research