Voices of Multiple Sclerosis: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength (Voices Of series)

Offering candid, heartfelt, and inspiring stories of 40 diverse individuals who have been affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), this compilation creates a connection that is vital to those dealing with the mysterious and difficult symptoms of this nerve condition. With 10,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year and its causes still not fully understood, these stories of personal experience act as a support group by offering advice and encouragement and creating a sense of community. The collection also features current medical information by noted experts in the fields of MS research and treatment. The resource section is packed with organizations offering hope and help for those with MS and their families and friends. Copyright ......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 Introduction: The Healing Project Debra LaChance, Founder......Page 12 An Overview of Multiple Sclerosis John Richert, M.D......Page 18 Angels Fly Teri Garr......Page 36 Acknowledgments......Page 42 Part I I Have MS......Page 44 Francis Scott Key David Scaffidi......Page 46 Living Triumphantly Jodene Kersten......Page 48 Living (and Sometimes Laughing) with Multiple Sclerosis Melissa Scholes Young......Page 54 On Satan, Signs, and Rabbi Akiva Staci Bernard-Roth......Page 58 A Short in the Cord Joan Wheeler......Page 62 I Can Do Anything I Want ... Just Watch Me! Gerard Chalmers......Page 72 Part II Now What?......Page 78 Walking on Stilts Cindy Lens......Page 80 What The People Don’t Know Judi Chatowsky......Page 84 From Fear to Gratitude Lori Meyers......Page 90 Positives for Every Negative Sherri A. Stanczak......Page 94 When a Word Changes Everything Martha Elaine Belden......Page 98 Disability Blues Dennis Fox......Page 102 Part III Living with MS ......Page 106 A Country Named MS Diane J. Standiford......Page 108 A Hot Day In July Rachel Oliker, M.D......Page 112 Feeling Numb Jessica Lipnack......Page 118 Telling the World Terry L. Wahls, M.D......Page 122 Get a Room Anita Stienstra......Page 126 Cute Shoes Karen Fisher-Alaniz......Page 130 An Uplifting Exercise Vicki L. Julian......Page 136 Part IV The MS Family ......Page 138 Recollection Rachel E. Pollock......Page 140 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Beth Shaw......Page 144 Memories of Home Myrna Beth Lambert......Page 150 The Trapeze Diaries Marie Carter......Page 154 Multiple Memories Raquelle Azran......Page 160 The Suction Tube Marion Deutsche Cohen......Page 164 A Simple Gift Courtney Taylor......Page 174 Part V The Gift of MS ......Page 180 Listing Port Cynde Route......Page 182 My MS Rollercoaster Alba Barton......Page 188 Tough Year Caryl Yvonne Hunter......Page 192 Balancing on Pins and Needles Sonia Rice......Page 196 The Gift of MS Bonni Barcus......Page 200 My Part-Time Job Gayle Franck......Page 204 Finding My Voice Roxanne D. Marion......Page 210 Resources......Page 212 Send Us Your Story......Page 224

Offering candid, heartfelt, and inspiring stories of 40 diverse individuals who have been affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), this compilation creates a connection that is vital to those dealing with the mysterious and difficult symptoms of this nerve condition. With 10,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year and its causes still not fully understood, these stories of personal experience act as a support group by offering advice and encouragement and creating a sense of community. The collection also features current medical information by noted experts in the fields of MS research and treatment. The resource section is packed with organizations offering hope and help for those with MS and their families and friends.

Publishers Weekly

After facing breast cancer, Debra LaChance founded The Healing Project and initiated her seven-part Voices Of series (Voices of Breast Cancer, Voices of Alzheimer's, etc.) to fulfill the need-her own included-for personal stories of those who had gone through this ordeal. The latest begins with an overview of multiple sclerosis by medical doctor John Richert, followed by 34 diverse voices of patients, as well as their spouses and children. California academic Jodene Kersten writes about her mother, born in a Japanese-American relocation camp during WWII and diagnosed with MS when she was 18, but who raised two children and pursued a career as a nurse. Gerald Chalmers writes about the physical and emotional obstacles, admitting that he refused a wheelchair for years because it screamed 'disability,' only to find it radically improved his life. Addressing all aspects of life with disease-diagnosis, diet, exercise, laughter, stigma, support, family and friends, acceptance, treatment, and the promise of new and better treatment-this is an honest collection that will provide great context and practical advice for patients and their loved ones.
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[This title] is filled with dozens of revealing, inspiring and informative true stories by people with MS, their family members, caregivers and friends. -- p.[4] of cover