MS Strength

Bill and I are heading out early tomorrow on a road trip to Savannah, Georgia and Hollywood, Florida. He has work-related stuff down in Hollywood, so we’ve decided to make this a full-blown (and much-needed) vacation. I’m really excited about Savannah: it’s supposed to be the most haunted city in America. I always thought New Orleans was (THAT was a great trip, too!) And one of my favorite books—an account of true Savannah events by Esquire journalist John Berendt — is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which chronicles southern charm and MURDER. Very interesting and ironically funny. I definitely want to check out the cemetery where some of the “voodoo” happened.

Be back in Jersey on June 7th….

Today marks the FIRST World MS Day, which is an international attempt to unite the world in MS awareness, knowledge, political action, and camaraderie.

Here are some ways that nations are getting involved:

• Argentina: requested day be formally recognized by government
• Australia: reception in Queensland
• Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland: “Roll for MS”
  sponsored cycle/ motorbike event
• Denmark: fundraising event
• Finland: city wide awareness-raising event
• Hungary: event in parliament
• India: human chain awareness-raising events
• Ireland: activity to promote member development
• Italy: moved national awareness week to include the day
• Netherlands: Global Dinner Party/ Second Life event
• Norway: research conference in Oslo
• Romania: Global Dinner Party
• Slovakia: Dignified Life with MS seminar
• Sri Lanka: week long awareness raising events
• Sweden: fundraising event
• Turkey: concert and gala dinner

Interesting Tidbits:

• The Irish band U2 has contributed their song “Beautiful Day” for the World MS Day campaign, and Lori Schneider, a retired school teacher with multiple sclerosis, has now climbed the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents.

***The United States National MS Society urges everyone to petition their federal legislators to support comprehensive and accessible health care coverage that includes the Society’s Health Care Reform Principles. This would ensure that all Americans with MS get proper medical care.

For more news, events, and information about World MS Day, visit www.worldmsday.org