Help me Spread Awareness of MS
Donation protected
This is the hardest thing I have ever done, asking for help. Feel Passionate about spreading awareness of MS. I can't do the MS walks to raise money, but I can meet face to face with people. I love meeting new people. If I can help one person on this awareness trip, I've been successful.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Will be starting this journey/adventure in April.
I have Multiple Sclerosis. In July of 2014, it began to acelerate. Before I am unable to, I want to Spread Awareness of MS and the importance of early detection. Taking a road trip heading East to share my story. My Medical Bills are mounting, not working a part time job since September. Admit I am concerned in the changes with my MS. So, It's Now or Never....
This is my Story......
I am 54 yrs old. Diagnosed with MS in 1995.
MRI showed evidence of Plague on my brain in 1985. Still took 10 years to have a definite diagnosis. During that 10 years I had test after test trying to find out why I felt bad. Frustrating to say the least... A spinal tap confirmed the diagnosis. Plaque was found in my Spinal Fluid. Doctor said you have MS....
This scenario is one reason for my trip, to draw attention to MS. My opinion, earlier the treatment starts, better the outcome.
Unfortunately, while working full time, trying to be a Wife and a Mother, my Son was 10........
My Marriage began to crumble......
Stress seems to be my biggest trigger for a Flare up.
Went on SS disability September 13, 2001. Just in time to watch all the 9/11 footage.
In 2005 my Husband moved out.
The last 10 years have been rough. Very slowly my MS began to take little pieces of me. My Mother, who had Parkinsons lived with me for 2 years. Sadly she was diagnosed in December of 2008 with Pancreatic Cancer. Mom died January 2, 2009. Unbelievably my ex Mother in law passed exactly one week later, after a freak fall. Divorce final in March of 2009, Had been working a part time job for approx 6 months. Swallowed my pride for the $7,25 an hour job. In April I was exhausted. Left the job. My Second Mom passed 6 months after my Mom. My Son graduated HS, and accepted to College. Off he went in August 2009.
Now what do I do?
Started another part time job instead.
In December 2010 admitted to hospital. Doctor from same practice came in to see me. Younger, specialized in MS. First thing he said was the plaque on my brain had tripled......
This is what the plaque looks like on the brain
Hearing the news from the Doctor terrified me. Laid in bed for 3 days, had IV Steroids, refused visitors, and cried. Couldn't walk, talk, eat, nothing. Steroids caused other issues, took me 2 months to walk again.
Started a new Medicine came with risks. Could kill me or leave me with an untreatable brain infection. Treatment started in May of 2012, Slowly, started to get my life back, at least to a point where I was physically before hospital stay.
My Ex regained possesion of my Home. Took everything.
My Son graduated College in 2013!
He moved to North Carolina and works for a Production Company. Very Proud of him, miss him alot.
I keep riding the Roller Coaster of Life, and roller coaster of Multiple Sclerosis. My MS included 75% of what is shown below.
In July 2013 found a part time job. I LOVED that JOB. Then I reached the goal I spent years trying to achieve. In January of 2014 purchase a new HOME!
Thought, I made it! Loving my life!
Love my backyard! Peaceful, and relaxing:-) Not fancy, but it is mine.
In June of 2014, landed in Hospital for my MS. Things slowly started to change. Accommodation's at work were denied by my boss. Devastated me... Could not fully recover and return to work. FLMA doesn't apply to part time workers. You must work 1 full year and 1,250 hours within that year. My job was 24 hours a week. Would NEVER qualify for FLMA.
The last few months, procedure after procedure. Latest challenge is my esophagus closing. It was stretched open for the secong time in October.
During the last 10 years, I have became a strong, confident, indepent Woman! After the huge disappointment in losing my job, the strong, confident woman was gone. Depressed, and Medical bills piling up. The last 6 months gave me time to think and reevaluate my life. Had always been determined to stay positive, and never give up! Twenty plus years, still working part time, bought a new house, I will be the exception.
I became extremely depressed.
Having a chronic disease changes priorities in Life.
To pull myself out of the deep depression, decided I need to focus on doing something for others, a positive approach.
While I am still pretty much mobile, Do use a cane. I am taking a road trip to BRING AWARENESS TO MS. My opinion after 20+ years of living with it, strongly believe there is a link to environmental factors.
Going to Norfolk, VA and several other sites. The last stop on my trip is NYC. Contacted the MS Society in NYC and they know I'm coming to spread awareness of MS in their city. Also said how proud they were of me planning and doing this all on my own. (confidence booster #1)
Having gone on disability in September 2001, watched thousands of people emerge from the ruble covered in Toxic dust and dirt. Aware that many, many, troops
returning from Iraq have been diagnosed with MS.
Right now there are so many amazing new Treatments for MS. The key is diagnosing it early, get the treatment started asap! My Neurologist (who is all for this) is setting up the infusions I take monthly in another state so I stay on track with meds. Want to meet as many people as I can and record their story. putting all my pictures and film on a CD so I can share!
Sharing information about MS to individuals with highest risk. Praying this info helps improve the quality of their lives. Improving the quality of life for someone with MS is so important. MS is a very isolating disease, which can be depressing, causing symptoms to worsen.
Visiting NYC is my goal!!!
Need to pay the ever increasing medical bills. Then begin searching for a more flexible job to accomadate my illness. Something to bring in income to suplement Social Security. Allowed to make $750 a month:-(
Updates will be added as I continue to plan the trip.
Thank you again for taking the time to read My Story....
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Will be starting this journey/adventure in April.
I have Multiple Sclerosis. In July of 2014, it began to acelerate. Before I am unable to, I want to Spread Awareness of MS and the importance of early detection. Taking a road trip heading East to share my story. My Medical Bills are mounting, not working a part time job since September. Admit I am concerned in the changes with my MS. So, It's Now or Never....
This is my Story......
I am 54 yrs old. Diagnosed with MS in 1995.
MRI showed evidence of Plague on my brain in 1985. Still took 10 years to have a definite diagnosis. During that 10 years I had test after test trying to find out why I felt bad. Frustrating to say the least... A spinal tap confirmed the diagnosis. Plaque was found in my Spinal Fluid. Doctor said you have MS....
This scenario is one reason for my trip, to draw attention to MS. My opinion, earlier the treatment starts, better the outcome.
Unfortunately, while working full time, trying to be a Wife and a Mother, my Son was 10........
My Marriage began to crumble......
Stress seems to be my biggest trigger for a Flare up.
Went on SS disability September 13, 2001. Just in time to watch all the 9/11 footage.
In 2005 my Husband moved out.
The last 10 years have been rough. Very slowly my MS began to take little pieces of me. My Mother, who had Parkinsons lived with me for 2 years. Sadly she was diagnosed in December of 2008 with Pancreatic Cancer. Mom died January 2, 2009. Unbelievably my ex Mother in law passed exactly one week later, after a freak fall. Divorce final in March of 2009, Had been working a part time job for approx 6 months. Swallowed my pride for the $7,25 an hour job. In April I was exhausted. Left the job. My Second Mom passed 6 months after my Mom. My Son graduated HS, and accepted to College. Off he went in August 2009.
Now what do I do?
Started another part time job instead.
In December 2010 admitted to hospital. Doctor from same practice came in to see me. Younger, specialized in MS. First thing he said was the plaque on my brain had tripled......
This is what the plaque looks like on the brain
Hearing the news from the Doctor terrified me. Laid in bed for 3 days, had IV Steroids, refused visitors, and cried. Couldn't walk, talk, eat, nothing. Steroids caused other issues, took me 2 months to walk again.
Started a new Medicine came with risks. Could kill me or leave me with an untreatable brain infection. Treatment started in May of 2012, Slowly, started to get my life back, at least to a point where I was physically before hospital stay.
My Ex regained possesion of my Home. Took everything.
My Son graduated College in 2013!
He moved to North Carolina and works for a Production Company. Very Proud of him, miss him alot.
I keep riding the Roller Coaster of Life, and roller coaster of Multiple Sclerosis. My MS included 75% of what is shown below.
In July 2013 found a part time job. I LOVED that JOB. Then I reached the goal I spent years trying to achieve. In January of 2014 purchase a new HOME!
Thought, I made it! Loving my life!
Love my backyard! Peaceful, and relaxing:-) Not fancy, but it is mine.In June of 2014, landed in Hospital for my MS. Things slowly started to change. Accommodation's at work were denied by my boss. Devastated me... Could not fully recover and return to work. FLMA doesn't apply to part time workers. You must work 1 full year and 1,250 hours within that year. My job was 24 hours a week. Would NEVER qualify for FLMA.
The last few months, procedure after procedure. Latest challenge is my esophagus closing. It was stretched open for the secong time in October.
During the last 10 years, I have became a strong, confident, indepent Woman! After the huge disappointment in losing my job, the strong, confident woman was gone. Depressed, and Medical bills piling up. The last 6 months gave me time to think and reevaluate my life. Had always been determined to stay positive, and never give up! Twenty plus years, still working part time, bought a new house, I will be the exception.
I became extremely depressed.
Having a chronic disease changes priorities in Life.
To pull myself out of the deep depression, decided I need to focus on doing something for others, a positive approach.
While I am still pretty much mobile, Do use a cane. I am taking a road trip to BRING AWARENESS TO MS. My opinion after 20+ years of living with it, strongly believe there is a link to environmental factors.
Going to Norfolk, VA and several other sites. The last stop on my trip is NYC. Contacted the MS Society in NYC and they know I'm coming to spread awareness of MS in their city. Also said how proud they were of me planning and doing this all on my own. (confidence booster #1)
Having gone on disability in September 2001, watched thousands of people emerge from the ruble covered in Toxic dust and dirt. Aware that many, many, troops
returning from Iraq have been diagnosed with MS.
Right now there are so many amazing new Treatments for MS. The key is diagnosing it early, get the treatment started asap! My Neurologist (who is all for this) is setting up the infusions I take monthly in another state so I stay on track with meds. Want to meet as many people as I can and record their story. putting all my pictures and film on a CD so I can share!
Sharing information about MS to individuals with highest risk. Praying this info helps improve the quality of their lives. Improving the quality of life for someone with MS is so important. MS is a very isolating disease, which can be depressing, causing symptoms to worsen.
Visiting NYC is my goal!!!
Need to pay the ever increasing medical bills. Then begin searching for a more flexible job to accomadate my illness. Something to bring in income to suplement Social Security. Allowed to make $750 a month:-(
Updates will be added as I continue to plan the trip.
Thank you again for taking the time to read My Story....
Organizer
Dianne Webber McArdle
Organizer
Pendleton, IN