This is one of those rare moments that you get to hear from the webmaster. With Mom’s thyroid surgery coming up, the last thing she needed to worry about was writing some thoughts on Multiple Sclerosis. While this post is a little later than I wanted it to be, hopefully it’ll still be of use to someone.
Blogging along,
Scott the Kid
I figured there had to be one, but like so many other awareness periods, you don’t hear about it until the time to be aware of whatever it is. Granted some things seem to be obscure and you wonder why we have to be aware of Issue X on this particular day, week or month, and who chooses when we get to be aware of said issue and not another issue that may be just as worthy of our attention?
At any rate, while the Fill-in-blank- Awareness Time Frame may be a little overrated at times, there are some that hit close to home and you appreciate them. As one of my favorite college professors put it, there are real people with real needs.
Many of you know Sharon, my mom, has had Multiple Sclerosis for the past twenty-some-odd years. It took time for us to understand what it would and/or could mean. Thankfully, she has not had to use a wheelchair as her primary means of getting around. Yes, at times, she will use one if she knows she has a lot of walking to do that day (for instance, a festival). While at most shows she is able to stand on the stage, every once in a while she is better off sitting.
Dad and Kate have done well at learning to see when Mom isn’t doing so great, and they do well at making sure she doesn’t over work herself (even when she insists that she’s fine). Friends that The Circuit Riders have made in the world of western and bluegrass music now have a knowledge of M.S. They know that when she leaves from a jam session early, she’s just getting herself recharged, and she’ll be back for the festivities the next day.
While the Circuit Riders have always been public about their faith, Mom’s M.S. has given her a unique aspect of her faith and testimony.
In the years that she has learned to deal with what is often an unpredictable disability, she has learned to do so not relying on her own strength and will. With M.S., your own strength can only get you so far, no matter how much will-power you have. Just the same, there are a number of people with Multiple Sclerosis that refuse to be held back from doing what they enjoy because of their disability. In doing what they enjoy, they spread the word about how M.S. has impacted their lives and how you can go on living your life.
For Mom, she has done this, not on her own. She has had support of her family and friends. Ultimately, she has carried on through Christ who strengthens her.
Just the other day I read that the Fox News weather lady, Janice Dean, has been diagnosed with M.S. Those of you that have seen her on Fox News Channel know that she has a very bubbly, upbeat, outgoing kind of personality. As I read her story, I could not help but think of Mom:
“I think with every MS sufferer you have that light bulb moment that something’s not right,” Dean said. “I remember it was during the 2005 hurricane season because it was such an active year, and I just felt really rundown, which isn’t like me. I’m a workaholic. I’m used to working long hours. And I remember thinking that I needed to make sure I took some time off because I was just so exhausted.”
It was in Canada where Dean awoke one morning and felt numbness on the bottoms of both feet and in her thighs.
“It was really weird, I could literally touch my thighs and feel nothing,” Dean said. “And I was still really tired.”
That’s pretty much how Mom came to her “light bulb moment” in the late 80’s (with the exception of forecasting weather and lots of hurricanes). Janice Dean also wrote a really neat blog about how she intends to handle her M.S. There’s also some good informative links she has posted. I encourage you to check it out.
Some might be asking what this blog here is for. No, I’m not trying to make Mom the poster cowgirl singer for M.S., and I don’t think she wants to be seen as such. I’m simply adding to the voices; letting people know that yes, M.S. is a tough situation to go through. Don’t go it alone, and don’t try to ignore it. People will notice something’s not right sooner or later. Once they get over the initial shock, it’ll help them be a better friend to you. And also a reminder to those of us with loved ones with M.S., be there for them, and give an extra hug whenever you can.
