I just did a video for Health Central, my first ever, where I show one of my MS symptoms. It is true that some people who have Mutliple Sclerosis are sometimes mistaken for being intoxicated. If you stop by to view my video you will see why.
I am hoping that showing what some of the symptoms of MS can look like, I can promote more awareness of what this disease can be like.
So please stop by to see me! My video can be found here.
Way back when, before I had kids, I was pursuing my second Master's degree which was in Social Work. I had to do an internship working with people who were dually diagnosed with drug or alcohol addictions as well as mental illness. It was one of the hardest things I ever did for school. But I learned so much and especially about myself.
Wrote a story about one of my experiences there entitled, The Tough Love Therapist.
And finally...I wrote up a little something for Stuart and his site about my current cognitive issues relating to my MS. My post is entitled: MS, My Brain, and Me.
On that note I do want to apologize if I am not so good lately at returning comments or being so social here. I have been having these congitive issues this month which make it difficult for me to remember things and to think straight. I am so appreciative for anyone who still comes around to read me. You guys are great. I am trying to get my act together here so please keep bearing with me.
Come sit a spell and shoot the breeze. Sweeten the day with a little synchronicity...
25 comments:
Hi!
Sorry about not being around and would like to thank you for thinking about me. What a wonderful spokeswoman you are for MS. Your good work can do nothing but help,I know it has raised my awareness. I did post on my blog today.
You're an extraordinarily beautiful woman and a natural for the camera. Oprah, dust off the chair, here she comes! Maybe even, the Silver Screen.
You aside, it was kind of you to show an MS effect on yourself. The absence of alcoholic beverage odor was always a red flag that something else was wrong. Maybe drugs, illness or mental disorder.
Your articles, as always, are visual, emotional, and attention grabbers. I don't know how you do what you do, let alone comment! Family life, MS, four articles a week at Health Central, tons of questions there, research, quizzes, Stu's and stuff I forget! :) And So Just write...
I watched your video. My first symptom was a bout of Trigeminal Neuralgia followed by days of feeling like I'd had one too many margaritas.
You don't look drunk in there at all, you look beautiful.
Gotta wonder though, where do you live that you wear shorts in Oct?
It looks lovely lovely lovely!
Freezing cold here. Sweater weather!
I watched your video as well. It's interesting (and I mean this in a nice way) to see and understand a little bit more about MS this way, as opposed to the written word.
And if you're feeling under the weather and get here as often as you like, there is no need to apologize for it. We'll still be here whenever you're ready to tackle the blog world again.
Hey,
Please visit Bipolar speaks and cast your vote! The Best Health Blogger Button is on the side bar of the blog.
Thanks tery
One of my troubles lately is remembering things.
Thanks for sharing your video and I can see that you will represent us of the struggles that we all get.
Sometimes I can walk straight but other times I can't. Just hope that the cop don't waste time making me walking a straight line and FAIL. LOL
I always read you faithfully, whether you come around to mine or not. You have much to say and much food for thought. I did have a problem accessing your video, however.
Hit close to home. Thanks for bringing awareness to people unfamilliar with the signs and symptoms of M.S. My mom had a card that she was to show law enforcement, when she was still driving, that said I am Not Intoxicated I have Multiple Sclerosis. I think her Nuerologist gave it to her.
I'll check them out. FOr some reason I couldn't get the video to load at the moment.
i just tried the heel/toe, and did not make it, was a tad off balance :(
will talk about it with my gp, asap
My mother has ALWAYS wanted a t-shirt that said, "I'm not drunk. I have MS." I hate judgemental retards.
Sweetie~I looked at your video and did not see a drunk. I worked in a hard-core dive for ten years as a bartender.
I guess the most surprising customer was a T.S. with no arms. She'd asked for a mug for her bottled beer, which was against policy. So naturally, I gave her the mug. It was a ballet of beer pouring and kept the bar quiet for at least five minutes!
For a couple of years, I was a bike messenger. I've been in Philly since I came to college at sixteen. The first vehicle I owned was from a dead lover of mine, a cargo van. He died from cancer.
It was an '80 Dodge Van. I loved it. It died and I resumed my bicycle life. To make a long story short, I'm not able to ride any more.
Around 2000, my mental illness got so bad, I was in and out of hospital, staying weeks at a time. I just found out that they told my best friend that with a case like mine, there was no hope.
That I would kill myself, in short order. This same hospital had me sign up for Electro-Shock-"Therapy". My best friend, boyfriend and others tried to stop me, knowing that in my right mind I'd not choose this option.
Over twenty shocks later, I was still cutting my wrists, but I couldn't remember why. Couldn't remember if I had to work. Couldn't remember 9/11.
That hospital had five-pointed me, drugged me beyond any sort of understanding and fried my brains. That was back before 9/11. It's been a recovery ever since.
Every year I have spent an average of two months on a lock-down unit. One of the best, was a duel-diagnoses ward Wright 5.
I was there for three months, one of only three psych patients. The rest were being 302d, as they were too psychotic to go to rehab.
I loved and hated my doctor there, but I wanted to get well. So I told him what to expect of me. When he called me on it, I was pissed!
Last year, I tried out my balance, as my brain was functioning again. I cannot remember 1999-2003, but I'd worked hard with crosswords, documentaries and hateful knitting to rebuild my shattered brain.
I have not been able to ride any of my bikes since that time. Only recently have I been able to stand with only one foot on the floor. On a good day.
So, this was an incredibly long way of saying that I absolutely know what you are going through, sweetie. Shit, I could have walked a straighter line when I was still imbibing!
Also, petal, you do not need to excuse/recuse yourself from your own damn blog! This is your space, your life and your world. If you need to take time, like CatatoniKid, then do it.
If you're concerned about your readers, just write a post that says "Closed For Vacation". Not so hard. If you like, you could add a resume date.
Crikey, I've gone on too much. In babbling about myself, I just wanted to know that you are not alone. And that anyone who judges you negatively is either ignorant and needs to learn, or sick and needs help beyond your scope.
By the way, I am soooo Pigpen. I grew up in England, but when I came here, I glommed on to Pigpen. Tigger was my favourite Milne character.
I'm considering making a bumper sticker that says, "I'm drunk AND I have MS"...figure I could kill two birds with one stone that way.
Linda D. in Seattle
Saw your video; thanks for the link. I think it's great that you're chronicling your MS for the world at large to see. I've never known anyone with MS, and awareness is ALWAYS a good thing. Let me ask, though: do you actually feel unbalanced, or simply appear unbalanced? Does your mind remain sharp though your muscles refuse to behave? Or do you feel unfocused and vague?
No sweat, Merely. Take your time, and we'll see you when we see you.
:-D
Linda D; You make me laugh!
i went and saw your video, merelyme..
through you, i have learned so much about this disease.
I hope the "issues" clear up soon and you just start feeling better. I have been having my own cognitive issues but they are more in the vein of depression and inablity to focus rather than lack of ability. Now I'm just trying to feel better.
What a great job you are doing on behalf of all MS sufferers allowing all of us who do not have this debillitating disease understand more about it.
By the way its wonderful after over a year of blog posts and emails to actually hear your voice :-)
This is a very interesting symptom.
Years ago, when I was helping to start up a cooperative nursery school I was calling parents to get them to volunteer to do building repairs. One couple who owned a dance school, kept avoiding helping out. I gave them a bit of a hard time. When they showed up the fellow had MS and had to use crutches to get around.
He was a professional drummer. I felt a little sheepish.
Great video. You speak well and what a great thing you are doing! Love your hair, mine is the same length and thickness, but black hair!
I live in warm climate, too! I love it! Wearing shorts in October is nice, huh?
Keep up the good work with MS - the community needs people like you :) DREAMWRITER/TERY
A very informative video because I was unaware of this symptom. Thanks for sharing it with us.
No need for apology. I'l still come around as often as I can.
saw my doc today, gave me a battery of tests, which i passed... except for the heel/toe... then he told me not to look at my feet, and i passed it then too :)
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