Monday, March 10, 2008

MS Awareness Week! Learn, Listen, Help, Give

Today starts MS Awareness week..

I am a lucky woman, age 45, who wakes each morning with just the 'normal' aches and pains of a woman my age. I can stretch them out, walk or run if I so desire, and get on with my day. Yet, this disease has touched my life.

I have a beautiful younger cousin, Karen, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 25. She is now 38. She had a thriving career, a husband, and a hobby that she loved - training and showing dogs. All the beautiful things any young active woman could hope for.. the promise of a beautiful,unlimited, healthy life.

All those things are gone now, due to her disease. My heart aches for Karen and all the other women, men and children whose lives have been turned upside down by this disease. Life is to be lived to it's fullest, and Karen takes the bull by the horns to do just that as best she can. She lives alone, has her own house, has companionship through her silly kitties and a dog or two. And, mainly, she is an avid quilter and writer.

After many years of living our separate lives, on separate sides of the continent, we have found each other through our blogs and life stories. I have become more aware of this disease through Karen's writings, and the beauty within Karen's mind and heart. She shares how MS affects her life, and her approach to fighting it, and taking care of her health.

Karen is hosting MS Awareness Week posts that involve the lives of other quilters with MS as well as opportunities for me and you to become more aware. You can visit Karen's blog at Life At Lee Haven.

If you know someone with MS reach out and contact them this week. Let them know you are cheering for them, and that you love them.

Thank You.

10 comments:

Kerilou said...

A very good reminder, Andi! I am going to go check out Karen's blog right now!! Kerilou

liannallama said...

oh, (((HUGS))) What a terrible disease this is!

Tami B. said...

Amazing timing. I had lunch today with my friend who has MS. It is such a difficult disease.

Ethel Amutan said...

Thank you for the reminder, Andi. My friend Dana AND her sister both have MS. It's been very difficult in the past year for her. She is barely able to hold a fork, now. God Bless your cousin. I hope a cure can soon be found for this debilitating disease.

Dawn said...

(((hugs))) to you my dear. I will check out her blog and see what I can do!!

*karendianne. said...

My warmest appreciation to everyone for stopping by my Blog to find the "Quiters wtih MS" this week. You're participation and the traffic you're generating is helping to empower us and create a general feeling of healing and goodwill.

Huge Hugs with Love, *karendianne.

clhenry99 said...

Hi there, just stopping in to see what you've been up to. Hugs all around for you and Karen.

Penny said...

I will go over to Karen's blog. I know all too well that we take things for granted when we are healthy. My friend had MS and was trying to look after her aged mother as well, not easy at all.

Tonya said...

I never knew anyone who had MS. Not until I met my friend Brandy. I never knew how difficult it could be. I made a blog entry about her on my blog.

Jacqueline said...

My mum died of this disease.. started when she was 40 and ended at 65 years of age when the disease reached her brain. Luckily my father stuck with her to the end although it cost him healthwise too. It was very hard to deal with. May God bless your cousin.

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