My name is Emmett and I live in Duxbury, Vermont with my wife (wifey) Denise.

I proposed to Denise (Dee) after we met in college. Got married in 1978.

We lived in Germany off and on in the 80's and in the summer of 1986 we lived in Munich.

One fine day, Dee woke up with a numb leg and a droopy foot. The Germans know MS when they see it. Within days, Dee had the dubious honor of being one of the very first people to get an MS diagnosis based on an MRI.

Dee has taught me a lot about MS... but much more about how to live life. We've been aggressive about fighting MS, and Dee enrolled in many drug studies (Avonex, Tysabri). Dee is active and aware of current treatments. Since her diagnosis 21 years ago, Dee and I adopted 3 great kids, deepened our faith, and made central Vermont our home.

Dee keeps the house running while I work as an engineering manager. Our children are young adults now, and our youngest is 14 and the last still sharing our home.

I discovered MSWorld several years ago, and found myself drawn to the chat room. I visit several times a week and often Dee will join me. I found the chat room to be informative, comforting, and fun. Most of all, chat draws many fine people to enjoy each other's company. Because Dee is the one with MS, I am considered a "caregiver" to my fellow chatters.

Caregivers like me benefit from the MS chatter as much as those with an MS diagnosis. I feel like the MSWorld chat crew are my friends. I find myself saying to Dee, "I learned something on chat last night..." or "Let's pray for so-and-so from MSWorld."

Caregivers have a unique perspective, because someone we care deeply for has MS. Caregivers have their own mix of struggles and victories.

I am happy to be included in the running conversation that is MSWorld Chat and I am excited by the opportunity to be part of the moderating team for a caregivers' chat room.

Send me an e-mail