MS Strength

Recent research about multiple sclerosis and smoking has peaked my interest: I learned to smoke when I was in eighth grade and although I was never a regular smoker, I did do it at parties in high school and college and beyond. Also during tense conversations with friends as almost a “bonding” mechanism. This is probably considered recreational or social smoking, which I’ve been able to tame as of late, but I recently became curious about the notion that EARLY smoking habits might affect the chances of developing MS. Here’s what I learned:

A new scientific study reveals a possible link between smoking at an early age and developing multiple sclerosis. Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, in collaboration with the Veterans Affairs MS Center for Excellence, recently conducted a study with MS patients— 87 in total— to determine the likelihood of developing MS if a patient was an early smoker (under the age of 17 when beginning the habit), an older smoker (starting above age 17), or a nonsmoker.

Out of the study participants, including 435 individuals without MS, early smokers were 2.7 times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis compared to nonsmokers. Older smokers were not found to have any more of a risk than non-smokers.

*For more information about the study and related materials, see Johns Hopkins Medicine.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Diane J Standiford for part of New Mobility magazine’s MS Life column. The page is essentially for those with moderate to progressive MS, who are encountering new paths of mobility. I quickly thought of Diane and wanted to interview her, since she has a great deal of multiple sclerosis experience and she also has a GREAT attitude. She’s hilarious, straight-to-the-point, and yet serious and full of compassion. The following is the unedited version of the profile, which was published in the June issue. The piece is a quick shot: roughly 225 words. It doesn’t always do the candidate justice, and so there is consideration for doing a feature article about Diane’s assisted living experience next year:

Diane J Standiford was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990, and she was able to remain in the outside workforce nearly 14 years following that day. Working for the city of Seattle, she had her first serious relapse during her first week on the job. Although frustrating, she persevered and continued to live in an independent apartment with her partner. Says Diane: “My first serious symptoms started my first week at my new job. I was out in the workforce for 18 years until retirement, full-time, with lots of overtime. At one point I telecommuted several days a week.” Diane retired from her job in 2004.

On the home front, Diane and her partner of nearly 3o years have contended with a life of challenges together. Both have been using power chairs for some time; Diane for her MS and her partner for several progressive, chronic conditions of her own. “I’ve been her caregiver, then she mine, and we’ve usually taken turns, by fate and not by choice,” says Diane.

A bend in the road came this past year, when Diane and her partner found themselves needing to move to an assisted living facility: a once manageable life had become increasingly difficult. Settling in, Diane has now found camaraderie with her neighbors and finds herself reading, playing pool, and participating in group activities. Her response to the move: “Keep your sense of humor and consider the move an adventure.”

Diane has a multiple sclerosis blog, A Stellar Life, where she records her personal journey and comments on news items of the day. She is currently working on WALKING, which is absolutely amazing and a testament that a great deal is possible, if a person sets her mind to it.