Who are the people with Missy or Multiple Sclerosis | Filed under General
By now most know of or about Missy but there is so much more to know. Today will be about getting to know a little about Who are the other people with Multiple Sclerosis. One of the best ways I can share more is to introduce you to an essay written by a friend of mine.
Who Are the People With Multiple Sclerosis?
by Virginia Sanchez
We are your parents, your children, your brothers and sisters;
we are the person down the street;
we are that lady or fellow who may walk a little ‘funny’ at the grocery store.
We are the people that you “tsk, tsk” over because
we might look “too good” to use a handicapped parking space.
We are the folks who may not be able to get out to the Church or Temple every weekend;
we are your peers; we are human beings.
We are the face of Multiple Sclerosis.
A face that is nearly every ethnicity;
that comes from nearly every country, that does not discriminate
by social standing or class or financial or educational background or language or religion.
We are both able to walk unassisted and use canes and walkers and wheelchair users;
we jog and swim and partake in sports;
we are housebound, we use scooters; we need respirators.
We are everything in between.
We are visually impaired and we are not.
We are at every level of physical ability.
Of course, we “look so good” while we’re doing it.
We hear that phrase every day of our lives.
Sometimes that phrase is meant as a compliment and sometimes it is meant to hurt
or meant to shame us into doing something of which we may not be currently capable.
We may be able to do that something tomorrow, though, or next week;
Multiple Sclerosis is like that.
We are like that.
Some of us are hearing impaired;
yet all of us occasionally have people talk louder to us. “HOW ARE YOU D-O-I-N- G????” they’ll scream, speaking to us as though we were either hearing or intellectually impaired. “YOU LOOK SO G-O-O-D!!!!”
Of course we do.
Thank you very much.
We are, in fact, the very best looking people in the handicapped community.
We have secret beauty pageants every year, to decide which of our number is the absolute best-looking.
Billy Crystal emcees, as his character Fernando; “..and you look MAHVELOUS my dear; absolutely M-A-H-V-E-L-O-U-S…”
We are brave.
We are fragile.
We want to live, and we want to end it all.
We look for support and we want to stand alone.
We are Everyperson.
We are the People with Multiple Sclerosis.
We are People, Just Like You….
and because recently ….Half of people surveyed about perceptions of multiple sclerosis (MS) incorrectly believe that MS is a fatal condition, and more than 40 percent mistakenly describe someone with MS as someone in a wheelchair, according to a new nationwide survey. To help dispel these and other myths, The Image of MS exhibit will challenge public perceptions about the disease and encourage those with symptoms of relapsing forms of MS to seek diagnosis and treatment as early as possible. So go here and see what the Image of MS exhit is all about.
A very good way to educate and raise awarness to my Missy.
February 5th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
I think I mentioned before that I had a close friend who was diagnosed with MS following a mild stroke. He was a young 32 when it happened. I recall his good days and his bad days, so I have a little understanding of how much of a roller coaster ride it can be.
Hello FTS. Yes you have mentioned you had a close friend diagnoised with MS. You described it well as a roller coaster. Nice to see the true count down is now on for the move.
February 5th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Well done Ms Vickie. I’ll check it out that link very soon.
Bubba-Glad you liked the post. You will enjoy the link and all it will offer.
February 5th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
I joined.
Oh Good
February 5th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Thank you sweet one for sharing this. I will go and check it out right now.
Hugs, love and prayers
Joe, You are the sweet one. Thanks for checking it out.
February 5th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
I just went to that link and read it all, thank you Vickie. I am more enlightened.
Jude- Thank you for taking the time and for having the desire to become more enlightened.
February 5th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
Thank you so very much for sharing this link with us, Ms. Vickie and helping us to better understand Missy. Each story was unique, yet the same; all of which spelled courage, determination and strong will. Just like YOU! *HUGS*
Thank you Ms. Sally for your gift of friendship and desire to really know me and Missy. You are one of a kind, my friend.
February 5th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
My cousin Dawn who is two years older than I am–37–has MS. It is so sad for her and for everyone else who has it.
Teresa-Then you have some first hand experience and understand it. The neurologist that is my physician now and the reason I will drive to see her is because she really does get it and understand as her sister has MS. That allows my doctor not only treat me and be my doctor but she gets it from what it really does to a family.
February 6th, 2006 at 2:58 am
I enjoyed the poem, and thanks for the link. You all are the epitome of strength and courage.
My mother has Parkinson’s, and sometimes encounters the same type of people.
Thank you Deb- Your Mom will often be in my thoughts and yes she would encounter the same type and the diffiult part is when it is from our own friends and family.
February 6th, 2006 at 7:27 am
Hi Vickie, You are so wonderful, you are one of gods children.With or without missy, you couldn’t be a more lovely person.Thank you for this great post. None of gods children should be seen differently from one another, we are all the same regardless of color, religion, or disability, we are all equall because we are all loved by god. Hugs Vickie.PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF MY NEW URL. http://brite-new-life.blogspot.com/
Carol, Thank you for your kind comments. You are one of who is kind, caring and lovely yes you are a special person and I count myself blesssed that you see me as I try to be. You are a friend and one I am glad to know.
Your link has been changed and may this new life bring you all you deserve.
February 6th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
You know I will check it out because I know how it affects you. And you are one of those beautiful people that Missy lives deep in and on the outside you are unmarked. But if a person knowns you, as I and the people that read your blog, we can see the markings of Missy as it tries to rear its ugly head. But we are here for you and we will always help you tame the beast within. Loving you and missing you always.
Mel, my friend you know more and see more than many. I count myself bessed that you are my friend.
February 6th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
I was diagnosed at the age of 30 and have spent the last six years fighting the ‘but you don’t LOOK handicapped’ mentality. Thank you for posting the link and the poem Vickie. It sums things up so very well.
(((hugs)))
Trace—Oh You look so GOOD.
Some will never know and more than that understand but you do for you walk in the same shoes. You are always in my thoughts,
February 6th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Hi Vickie, great post the link provided some surprises, like the number of young people afflicted, and the seeming greater number of females.
Peter, Thanks and glad you were educated. It is the young people disease striking most often in the prime of one’s productive life. This is one of the least known facts and one of my desires to make certain this is changed. It is one of the leading reasons for disability among those of the young working class second only to accidents.
Yes it is much more common among females than males and yet there is no known reason.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, Peter.
February 6th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Thanks for the information - it’s quite appreciated.
And for what it’s worth, I admire you very much!
Lisa, Thank you for visiting and commenting. I have a feeling you are a very special, thank you for finding my friend and allowing him to be more happy.
February 6th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
You are a wonderful person who just happens to have MS. A lot of my misconceptions have been shot out the window after working in the nursing home. Thanks for the link, and making people aware of MS.
*hugs*
Deni, Thank you my friend you are a very caring and loving person. Those you care for in the Nursing home are blessed.
February 6th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
I have two friends (other than you) that have MS as well. They learn to appreciate the good days but refuse to let MS stop them from living. Just as you do. The courage and pure bravery it takes to face a disease like MS is astounding. You are astounding.
Love & hugs!
Karen, You also know what it is to face a disease and not allow it to stop you. Two peas in a pod we are.
February 6th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
I knew nothing about it till I started visiting here and learning from you.
GB, You my dear might have known nothing before but you have hung around to know more and for that I am so thankful.
February 6th, 2006 at 6:38 pm
I’m beside you all the way, and one who gets it.
I feel you too, my soul sister.
Gobs and gobs of love.
Oh V. You do get me and feel me just as I feel you. My world is a better place since our paths crossed and has allowed us to walk together. Love and special healing thoughts are coming to you. Always know you are in my heart and I am always here for you.
February 7th, 2006 at 6:53 pm
Missy has not robbed us of the beautiful YOU that you share with us…for that I’m thankful.
I long ago stopped wondering about people who “look” healthy having handicapped parking stickers…instead of people grumbling about it, they should be counting their blessings.
Take care my friend.