RIP Annette Funicello

April 9th, 2013 by Laina Turner

When my mom was diagnosed with MS the only two public figures who has come out about the disease at that time were Richard Pryor and Annette Funicello. My mom identified more closely with Annette on a personal level. Being same age, gender, and having that wholesome fifties thing going on. She felt some comfort in the fact that someone like Annette had the same dreaded disease she had.

I was sad the last few years watching Annette’s decline and while I feel for the loss her family and loved ones are feeling with her passing I am happy to know she is in a better place and maybe my mohter will fin

 

 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/08/opinion/leydon-annette-funicello/?hpt=us_c2

http://www.npr.org/2013/04/09/176640353/annette-funicello-dies-at-70

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Celebrate World MS Day

May 30th, 2012 by Laina Turner

The MS Project

 

The MS Project is a collection of things created to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. Consisting of a book, a website, apparel, and an iPhone app these elements work together to bring more attention to the disease, teach people, and create a strong community.

 

The book – Volume 1 was released in March, 2011 and Volume 2 was released March 2012. The books are a collection of stories written by people afflicted by Multiple Sclerosis, or who have loved ones afflicted. This book is meant to be informational regarding the disease as experienced by real people and to showcase the amazing strength people find when facing adversity.

 

The iPhone app – is a tool to create awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. Connected to The MS Project website the app will include a feed from the blog to provide access to the MS community and a wealth of knowledge.

 

The website – is a social networking site where people passionate about raising awareness for the disease can become members and get to know one another. The goal is to create a community to provide support, awareness, and motivation to people within and outside the community. You can currently access the website at https://themsproject.com.

 

The MS Project, the book, Volumes 1 & 2, are now available for – purchase on Amazon. Volume 1 Volume 2.

Living Well With MS & Disabilities: Ellie’s Blog

May 29th, 2012 by Laina Turner

Another great blog I came across. Read here.

 

WHY BULLY A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY

 

Or why bully anyone at all. I’ve never understood why some people belittle or bully other people. But when they do it to a person with a disability to me it’s beyond being mean it’s cruel.There was a recent article “Children With Autism Are Often Targeted By Bullies ” in NPR recently . http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/04/23/151037898/children-with-autism-are-often-targeted-by-bullies?ft=3&f=111787346&sc=nl&cc=es-20120429

This article is about a personal experience of a child with Autism who wanted to make friends. But all she found in return to her overtures to be friendly was to be bullied back. Her concerned mom pulled her out of the school, quit her job and home schooled her for two years. Then concerned about her daughters socialization needs placed in a school for kids with autism. And it’s been a successful fit. Her daughter is happy and making friends.

 

Read full post here.

The Five Worst Things I Have Done Since Being Diagnosed with MS by Marie Cooper

May 25th, 2012 by Laina Turner
I came across this amazing post. Please read full post here.
Although I am a relatively smart person, I can admit to having done some pretty dumb things in my life. A lot of the dumbest things came after finding out I had MS. I thought if I listed the top five, it might save someone from repeating my blunders.
MISTAKE # 1:  Not immediately making long-term financial plans.
I was eight weeks into a brand-new job in 2005 when I was hospitalized with transverse myelitis, which was followed by a diagnosis of MS. I should have looked into disability right away, even if I wasn’t ready. I should have learned everything I could have about it.
Instead, I went back to work way too soon and focused on keeping my job instead of maintaining my health.
Despite worsening symptoms that were seriously compromising my mobility and function, I kept pursuing a high-stress career that I was both good at and enjoyed. I ignored the handwriting on the wall regarding my own future.
After two frantic years of working 12-hour days, being on call 24/7, determined to prove that MS would not impact my performance, my position was eliminated and I was out of work. Before finding a new job had never been a problem. But things were complicated now.  I couldn’t “pass” any more. Now I needed assistive devices, a cane or a walker or more frequently, a wheelchair, to get around. Huge red flag for hiring managers, although, of course, there is almost no way to prove that.
read full post here.

The MonSter is Real!

April 9th, 2012 by Laina Turner

Came across this post and wanted to share.

Read original post here.

Unlike a bad dream, it doesn’t come only when I’m sleeping, it doesn’t go away when daylight comes, and even when my mind is occupied with hundreds of other thoughts and I’m busy with the “stuff” of living, working, and trying to care for my family, it lurks about and, without warning, it attacks, disrupting my cognitive and physical functioning, oftentimes bringing everything to a sudden screeching halt.

The problems are real, the pain is real, the symptoms are real…even if you can’t see them.  Unlike a common cold or minor injury, it doesn’t happen and then get all better and go away.  The nerve pain that accompanies an attack is excruciating and unlike any other type of pain.  If you’ve ever had a bad toothache, just try to imagine that type of pain occurring in any other part of your body.  It can affect any body part or function at any time for any length of time.  The numbness, tingling, and weakness that often occur can mimic signs of a stroke and can be very frightening and debilitating. Read more here.

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Post from the blog Living Day to Day with Multiple Sclerosis

February 10th, 2012 by Laina Turner

Original blog posted here.

 

Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis was very hard. I was diagnosed in March of 2007, after a very long and rough exacerbation. Now looking back, I would say that the depression first started. If you don’t see it happening, you don’t get help. As the years have gone on so have the pains and symptoms. I spent more time in bed and unable to do all the things I used to do and even wanted to do. If I had a good day, I would push myself and then suffer for days. Heck, who am I fooling, I still am going through that. It wasn’t until last Fall that I started realizing how distant I have become from everyone. The Holidays were fast approaching and the worse I was feeling. I was waking up sick, the pain increasing, was crying from the second I woke up until I went to bed, and much more. It wasn’t until the day that everyone was leaving the house. I started shaking, felt like I was going to be sick, had this horrible sensation of fear, and then started crying. Are you kidding me? I am afraid of being alone? I felt like I was losing my mind. What is wrong with me?

I have always refused talking to a therapist, mostly because there was nothing wrong with me. Or at least I didn’t think so. After a few more episodes of this craziness I had to make that dreaded call. By the time I went in to see him, it had become even worse and was happening everyday all day long. While talking to him and answering his questions, I actually was becoming more and more embarrassed with my answers to these questions. I am the type that avoids calling the Dr’s until a lot has built up, mostly because after being diagnosed with MS, I find that everything would get blamed on MS. When I do finally get the nerve to call and go in to see them, usually the issue is at the extreme and then I want fixed… I WANT FIXED NOW!!! I guess I forget that the issue(s) may have been fixed fast if I would have gone in but I let it go months and months. So, of course, I went to the Therapist, answered the questions, and expected him to fix whatever is going on.

It didn’t go that way. I am listening to him talk and it was like a Charlie Brown’s Cartoon. “Wait… What did you just say”? The Therapist said it again. “You are having Severe Anxiety Attacks, You have Major Depression, and you are suffering from Agoraphobia this is very common in people that have been very sick for a long time. Part of this can be due to the MS”. I kind of giggled, in disbelief or maybe embarrassment, and then hit him with my normal response. “OK, so how do we fix this? Christmas is in 3 weeks and I have to be around all our family and friends. It’s been over 3 weeks since I left the house and the idea of being around everyone is causing this to get worse and worse.

 

Then the dreaded words came out… “This has been going on for years, this will not be an easy or quick fix. How bad do you want to live, keep your family and friends, and most importantly… be happy and live your life again”? Of course I choose to get my life back and most importantly be happy. I miss the “old me” I feel like I have lost me and people expect so much out of me and don’t understand or don’t care. I worry about everything and everybody, I care so much about others and continue to get hurt everyday. I never speak my mind, out of fear of hurting other’s feelings but they do it to me all the time. I wish I had the switch that other’s have to make me not care. He responded with ” You are You and You can’t change the way other’s are and how they will treat you. All you can do is learn to find ways to cope with being hurt, let down, disappointed, etc.. If that is the life they choose to live to make them happy, that is their choice. All we can do is work on what makes you happy and how to cope or handle those situations”.

This is the beginning of finding “ME and My Inner Happiness”. Does anyone else feel the same way or go through the same battle as me? Have you ever wondered “Why Me”?? Well, I always do and always come back with the same answer and that is… To help others. As hard and embarrassing as this is to me. I will journal my Journey as often as Possible. I get through life by helping others and I hope this will help others. Feel Free to Follow along and see where this journey leads… Hopefully to finding my Inner Happiness.

Diabetic Mice Provide a Surprising Breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis Research

January 6th, 2012 by Laina Turner

The team has discovered that when mice with Type 1 Diabetes are injected with myelin protein — the insulating material that coats neurons — they experience the periods of relapsing and remitting disability associated with brain lesions in humans. And for the first time, they’ve been able to monitor this brain lesion process using magnetic resonance imaging.

Dr. Frenkel believes his finding will lead to the development of more effective treatments for MS.

Read full article and more

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How I Found Out I Have MS!

December 16th, 2011 by Laina Turner

Tricia’s Story of Multiple Sclerosis

December 15th, 2011 by Laina Turner

Purchase The MS Project ebook on Amazon for 2.99

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What it’s like to have MS – one person’s perspective

December 13th, 2011 by Laina Turner

Purchase The MS Project ebook on Amazon for 2.99

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