Ignoring the server issues for a moment, it’s time to get on track as to who this is about. It’s not about me. I’m doing this for my brothers, Jack and Jim, whom I love a great deal.
About two years ago Jim went through testing for Multiple Sclerosis. Fortunately that wasn’t it. It turned out to be Transverse Myelitis, a spinal condition that has the potential to lead to MS. At this time Jim seems to be in remission and in good health. He recently moved to Alabama and took a fantastic job in which he is, for lack of a better description, detailing the interiors of luxury, private jets. Jim’s a detail-oriented kind of guy who cares deeply about the quality of work he puts out. I hope he’ll be in this job for a good long time.
A few months ago my brother Jack was definately diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He woke up one morning with his hands numb and not doing what he wanted them to do, which was to play his guitar. Jack has always been incredible with a guitar and he’s played for many years. He’s had a lot of ups and downs with bands, gigs, drinking and so on. Life, as it were. Jack’s on drug therapy now, and due to help he received through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Kansas, MO he was able to find out about a program that helped him to pay for the Betaseron he takes.
MS is a disease that not only takes a toll on a person physically, it takes a toll on a person financially. The NMSS does what it can to educate newly diagnosed patients and to help them find programs and grants to aid in easing the financial stress. Jack is another middle class, middle-aged adult in America who doesn’t have insurance and doesn’t quite qualify for state medical aid (Medicaid). When one has to worry about the financial side of their illness, it can be monumental in gathering up the positive energy one needs to cope, and to live.
Both of my brothers are exceptional people who only want to find their place in life and have that bit of happiness we all seek. I’m grateful that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is there to help make that happen.
This post was the inspiration behind me doing Blogathon 2006.
Tags: Blogathon, MS, multiple sclerosis, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, transverse myelitis
