I would love to see more stories
about everyday people who
just deal with life and MS. It
is encouraging to see someone
finish a marathon or climb a
mountain, but for some of us
that is just not going to happen.
It would be nice to hear stories
about moms or dads who just
do the best they can for their
family and try to make the
most of each day. I know a lot
of local heroes who celebrate
simple accomplishments such as
walking their daughter down the
aisle at her wedding or taking
the grandkids to a train exhibit.
It would be nice to make all of
us feel special by adding a few
more of these regular moments
in life.
Steve Ramsey, via email
Yet, despite dwindling
dexterity, I retain a once taken-for-granted ability.
Thanks to functional wrist
and forearm splints, these hands
now grip walker handles and
well-placed grab bars. Grasp also
bestows me a handshake firm
enough to raise eyebrows.
Sally Rickert, Colorado
Momentum
The magazine of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Many
FALL.2012
of
PAGE 16
FUNDRAISING
YOUR WAY
BANKING ON
A LIFE WITH
MS
PAGE 34
PAGE 50
Brace yourself
Listless as overcooked pasta,
my hands show MS-related
limits … limits not as obvious as
my stiff, walker-dependent gait.
A multivitamin tricks thumb
and forefinger into imagining
they have a hold. The pill,
however, slips to the floor. Knife
and fork prefer flaking salmon
to tackling a T-bone.
Self-dressing means settling
for wide-neck tops over long
pants held up by elasticized
waist bands. No buttons, no
snaps, no zippers.
Drafts of my poems languish
beside unfinished cross-stitch.
Piano keys collect dust.
Our right to know
I have a whole life insurance
policy but am looking to
pick up additional term life
insurance. However, I was
recently rejected by two life
insurance companies on the
grounds that I have relapsing-remitting MS.
It is so discouraging that these
decisions were based, in my
opinion, on ignorance: I don’t
have a life-threatening illness.
I’m going to contact the
Society for any suggestions or
referrals they may be able to
provide me.
Meanwhile, I’ve written
a letter to the insurance
companies requesting a full
disclosure of how they support
their decision; I feel it’s my right
to know this.
Jamie Bohack, Massachusetts
IN A FLASH!
Read us on the Web!
Go to nationalMSsociety
.org/Momentum
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to HUGE as needed.
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ease.
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personal computer files.
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immediately.
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