Liz, aka LizOP/writeon

with her hearing dog, Snert

Management Team
Web Master
 Staff Coordinator
MSWorld Host
Book Reviewer 

My name is Liz and I live in Grove City, Ohio. I grew up in Ohio and have lived in Seattle, Santa Barbara, and Arizona but I am a true Ohio Buckeye – not to be confused with the nut!

I was diagnosed with MS in 1987 in Seattle. Hindsight tells me I have had MS at least since 1970. As of this writing, December 13, 2005, I am 55 with an interesting birth date, 9/11.

I am married and have three grown children and four grandchildren. I attended college in Ohio for two years studying music (see note later about deafness). But everything works out for the best.

After diagnosis, my life didn't change that much, but I chose a healthier lifestyle with a goal to be as healthy as possible. That included keeping a positive attitude and learning all I could about the disease. In 1997, I started noticing more symptoms of MS beginning again: balance problems, fatigue, weakness and numbness. Most symptoms left after a few weeks.

But at this same time, I learned about MSWorld when exploring the Internet for facts. I came upon the chat room and had my first chat at Cyber Cafe. With moves and job changes, I kind of left MSWorld for awhile and returned in 2003 when my MS was really bugging me! I needed a friend, and found hundreds.

In 2003, I moved to Arizona where I learned my MS had progressed. I was still taking Avonex at the time but the doctor said it probably wasn't doing much, so I stopped.

I was working full-time in the schools as an instructional assistant in special education. Early in 2004, my balance became a real problem and falling became more common. My neurologist put me on Novantrone, which is chemotherapy for MS, and told me it was time to stop working. I hated leaving the kids and the teacher but now I see it was best. My doctor said he wanted me to search for quality of life and save my energy for myself and family.
I worked as a secretary for 28 years, and then in 2000, I began working behind the scenes at a local newspaper in Columbus, Ohio. I was already a columnist there and aspired to be a reporter. This happened and I was one busy gal – on call 24/7 basically – because news never stops. I love writing and met some wonderful people. But the time had come to slow down with less pressure, and we moved to Arizona and I began working with Special Needs children. I applied for Social Security Disability in Feb. 2004 and was approved June 2004.

Now I am getting back into knitting, crocheting, crafts, and bread making. I read many books for fun, learning, and to review for MSWorld.

The heat was an issue in Arizona but I managed. We finally moved back to the Seattle area in May 2005 and then home to Ohio where we are near family, friends, and familiarity. 

Along my MS journey, I also became deaf. This had nothing to do with MS. In 2002, I received a highly successful cochlear implant and I can hear better than ever now. It is a blessing.

My book, Day by Day, The Chronicles of a Hard of Hearing Reporter will be published by Gallaudet University Press in June 2008. I will keep you posted.

I am thrilled to be part of the MSWorld volunteer staff and hope to see you on a chat!

Send me an e-mail! I would love to hear from you.
LizOP