Replies to '05/29 Parenting Dilemmas'

Quote From: desharkmom

I posted yesterday, congratulating Nancy on the way she deals with her MS and made a few comments about my own battle.  I may left the wrong impression.  I know that I'm extremely fortunate that I do as well as I do.  I do attribute some of that to attitude and behavior but I also know that most of it is just "dumb luck."  MS takes many forms and is really a different condition for everyone that has it, which makes it much harder for people to understand.  Some of the most hated words I hear from people are "but you look just fine!"  They just don't get it and never will.  MS and outwards appearances have very little to do with each other and just because you look great doesn't mean there isn't anything wrong.  I know people who have really worked at defeating their MS, have kept a positive outlook and struggled with their everyday activities.  Yet, no matter how hard they try, their bodies are destroyed.  I have a friend with MS who was a university professor.  After his diagnosis he kept working, kept up his daily running schedule and never gave up or let it get him down.  He is now in a wheelchair, totally paralyzed from his neck down.  It wasn't because he didn't try to fight,  it's just a horrible, unpredictable disease that does minimal damage to some people and wreaks total havoc with others.  He still doesn't let it get him down and with the use of electronc aides, he is writing his second textbook on economics.  I do appreciate Nancy and what she has done to raise money for reasearch, etc., but  in some ways she is doing a great disservice to those people with MS who haven't been as lucky as she has. I do think that Dr. Phil should have said that the disease does take many different forms and although Nancy is definitely to be admired for her attitude and work, she cannot be held up as a typical example of what people with MS can do if they just try.  It can make life much more difficult for others with MS when people see her and think that everyone else should be able to do the same.  It just doesn't work that way.  Good luck with educating people as to the true nature of the disease.    Jeanne