Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month and special to me since my stepdad has MS and my Mom is a MS caretaker. Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month is an opportunity to become more aware of the illness, the people it affects, resources for MS, and the current research on this illness. My dad was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when he was 38 years old and it took many years before a final diagnosis was decided. He first noticed his symptoms in 1965, six months after his discharge from service in the Navy. It was another thirteen years until he was finally diagnosed with MS. Back then, they did not have MRI scans and relied mostly on the doctors intuition and skill. He was the first member of his family to have Multiple Sclerosis, and so far, no other family members have presented with symptoms of the disease.

The two most recognized symptoms of MS are loss of balance and numbness, which occurs in 55% of the patients and are often the early signs of this illness. More common is the feeling of fatigue, which occurs in as many as 75% of the patients. Other symptoms of MS include depression, tremors, weakness, spasticity, bladder and bowel problems, and vision loss. Not all of the symptoms affect all MS patients, and symptoms may be strong at one time in life and in remission at another time. There are no specific tests to diagnose MS, so the current diagnosis method includes the patients history, a neurological exam and an MRI or other recommended exams.

Information about this disease was recently published by the National Institutes of Health and provides some useful information about the multiple sclerosis illness, the treatment, prognosis, research, clinical trials and organizations. If you were recently diagnosed with MS, this is a good source of information and should be shared with family members. This resource is updated frequently as more information becomes available. Another helpful resource is the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, which provides current research results, a quarterly magazine, and a Life Coaching program for people with MS. More clinical trial information is provided by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and provides a summary of clinical MS trials by state.

We found several products for multiple sclerosis awareness. Orange is the NEW awareness color for MS, the old awareness colors were silver/grey and red.  The Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Bracelets in silicone rubber available from the MS Society Store and stamped with the words “Join the movement, nationalmssociety.org.” Wearing the orange awareness color for Multiple Sclerosis is a daily reminder of the awareness cause, the people we know living with MS, and the family and friends supporting this awareness cause. This awareness store also features a cuff style Awareness Bracelet made from stainless steel with the letters MS stamped in the orange awareness color. At LifeVerse Jewelry, you can personalize our awareness bracelets with orange crystals to symbolize multiple sclerosis awareness. Personalize the Hope Bracelets and Courage bracelet with the multiple sclerosis awareness color, inspirational words, and a special sterling silver charm.

Famous people with multiple sclerosis include actor and comedian Richard Pryor, singer Donna Fargo, talk show host Montel Williams, and actress Terri Garr. When my own dad became aware of his illness, he found an eventual path to acceptance. “It was the first time I had gone to a doctor and heard the words ‘there is no known cure for this disease.’ And it has been like that for the last 30 years as I have lived with this illness,” said my dad. “Since I was first diagnosed in 1978, there have been significant advancements. First was the MRI technology to diagnose and track the progress of the multiple sclerosis symptoms. Second, there are about four different medications that have been effective in slowing the progress of the multiple sclerosis. Finally, I am hopeful that future stem cell research is the best chance for finding a cure.”

When I asked my Dad how long since he was diagnosed with MS until he understood how to manage the symptoms of MS, he replied “I still have not learned to manage the symptoms. It was helpful to me to seek professional counseling to manage the depression symptoms and develop a more positive attitude. I’ve learned to live life as normal as possible and I continue to monitor medical research and possible breakthroughs. I have never given up Hope.” When I asked him about advice for people recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he replied “Pursue medical assistance quickly and get on a MS medication sooner rather than later. Some new medications will halt the progress of the illness and the symptoms if you have access to them as soon as you are diagnosed with MS.”

Finally, I wanted to know what scripture life verse has helped my Dad live with the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. His reply: “I like all of Job.” He reads the Book of Job when he seeks comfort, hope and courage for living with the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:21-22 NIV

Awareness Gifts

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Bracelets

Online Resources

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

NINDS Multiple Sclerosis Information

Accelerated Cure Project

Bonnies Blog- Living with MS in Canada