The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference

I have needed this prayer lately. I first truly learned about it when I was doing an internship with people who suffered from mood disorders and drug and alcohol addictions. It doesn't seem to make sense at first...to accept your powerlessness. But in the end...this is how you regain your personal power.

It is also a good way to stay sane.

I read a rip your heart to shreds question on the schizophrenia site yesterday of a mother who lost her son who had schizophrenia because he committed suicide. The question was raw and full of fresh pain. What can one say? What words could bring that woman's son back? There are none. I am adding the link in case anyone wants to offer some words of comfort to her.

I cannot take away another's pain.


I had a bad MS and mood day today. I could have been the poster person for each. My whole right side was convulsing. If this isn't a seizure...I am not sure what is. I don't lose consciousness is the thing. I suppose this could be said to be some bad spams? I don't know but they were violent and frightening.

I can't always control my body.

My son who has autism recently lost one of his aides who works with him. "Too much stress" she says. I almost laughed out loud. He didn't take her leaving him very well and we spent an entire evening as my son cried and screamed in my arms.

I can't always fix things for my son.

So what can I control?

I can keep surviving. I can keep giving. I can keep writing. I can keep on my path. I can focus on the things I can do. I can give up the responsibility for how others may treat me. I can do my very best and forgive myself when I falter.

It is all I know how to do.

I admit my powerlessness in this world.

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I have some writings to share...

1. The following post was so much fun. I did an interview with Andy who has an MS blog and if you can go and pay him a visit. Also here is my interview with Andy which you can find here.

It was such a delight to see Andy's family come to give support...this interview now has a life of its own and at last count...I think there was like 25 comments!

This interview gave me a lot of joy...seeing that it brought this whole family together. I am finding that I love interviewing people more than writing posts sometimes.

Andy...you are a rock star! Thank you again for doing this.

2. Antidepressants and weight gain? Have any personal experiences to share? Is it possible for some antidepressants to make you fat? Indeed it could happen. I explore the wonderful world of mood disorder meds and weight gain right here.

3. I am doing a series about how to be your child's best advocate in school. If you have a child with special needs then it is all the more imperative that you, as a parent, develop a good relationship with your child's teacher. In this article, I tell you how to talk to the teacher and build such a relationship. Please do stop by and share your thoughts. Any insights or shared experience can help others.

4. What does happen during a neurological exam and what sorts of things is the doctor looking for? I tell you about some of these neuro tests here. If you have ever had a neurological exam and would like to share the details please stop by. I am always learning something new from my commenters.