But, before we venture out,
let me tell you a little more about myself. I am 32 years old and have lived in
Boston my whole life. I live with Abe,
my husband (not officially, but we’ve been together over 11 years) who is ring
leader in my support system. I work full time in a periodontal office as a
receptionist. I have been there for 9 years and really love my job. I enjoy paperwork
and interacting with patients. I also
have a slight obsession with teeth. Before working in my current office, I worked
in a general dental office for 6 years, so the obsession started when I was 17!
Other than teeth, I like to read, listen to music (especially Tori Amos, my
other obsession) travel, watch TV, hang out with friends/Abe and of course,
write! I have always had a passion for writing, whether it was a school
assignment, writing in my journal or writing poems. Recently I have found a new passion, and that
is creating awareness for MS. For the last 4 years I have participated in
Boston’s Walk MS by leading Team Kaliope with Abe, my sister, Annie and friends.
(Kaliope is my Greek name for those of you wondering. I would have named my
team with my nickname, but it was already taken! Can you believe it?!) I have
been involved in projects including the 2010 National MS Society Greater New
England chapter’s video for MS Awareness Day and I was on FOX’s Boston morning
show in 2009 for World MS Day talking about the MyMSYoga DVD along with yogi,
Baron Baptiste. MyMSYoga is a free yoga DVD made especially for people with MS
of all progressions that is available through the MS Active Source website. I
don’t work for them or anything, but like most people, I like things that are
free! I did however start volunteering for the MS Active Source website as a
mentor. I really have enjoyed being a positive influence in people’s lives. I
also started two online support groups. One through the 29 Gifts website called
“Givers Who Have Multiple Sclerosis.” 29 Gifts is a book written by Cami Walker
who has MS and she has started a social media website where “givers” can
communicate. The other group I started is on Facebook and is called “Friends
Against the MonSter.”
This leads me to
why I wanted to write a blog. When I was first diagnosed, I was scared. I was
26, didn’t know what MS was and had no idea what my life would be like after
hearing those 3 powerful words: “You have MS.”
I needed somewhere to turn to and couldn’t find anywhere. I asked my
doctor if the hospital had a support group and was told they didn’t. I started
to buy a lot of books about MS and really enjoyed reading about personal
experiences people had, though I wanted real life interactions with people who
have MS. So, I write this blog because I turned to the internet. When I needed
someone who could empathize with me, the virtual world came through for me. I
joined a few Yahoo groups and it was great being able to communicate with
people who knew exactly what I was going through. It took me a while to find
those groups and to realize how empowering the internet could be for a newly
diagnosed person, like me. It was through those Yahoo groups that I met some
wonderful friends. One of them also lives in Boston and told me about a support
group at another local hospital. I still go to that monthly support group now.
There are numerous friends I have made all because of MS, and for that I am
thankful. But, I know there are still places that don’t have support groups or
people who aren’t comfortable going to support groups but are still looking for
support somewhere and they may turn to the internet. If just one person reads
my blog and feels just a little bit of comfort, I am a happy Bean! MS has led me to some really positive things
in my life, friends being at the top of the list. Without MS I never would have
met a whole circle of friends, some with MS and some without, that I cherish.
MS has also reinforced my appreciation of life. As much as MS sucks, it is a
very livable disease and I intend to live my life to the fullest!
So, this anniversary I think I will proudly
have a slice of cake! “I may have MS, but MS doesn’t have me” is quote I will
never get tired of hearing. They are definitely words I will try to live by,
and eat cake by!
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