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Support for MS Only a Moment Away
by LIZ THOMPSON

Never have I been "normal." Quirky was the term given me by an online "Are you normal?" quiz.

The only reason I succumbed to taking the time to go through with the test, was how often the word normal comes into conversations. "I just want to be normal," I hear. Sometimes people with special needs or aggravating disabilities say this. Me, I often say "I just want to take a walk for the pure joy of walking."

People who are up in their years might say they wish they were young again so they could move about easier. Personally, even if I could move about easier, I'm not sure I want to go back to being young. The struggles and the unknown often weighed me down. I hadn't formed opinions and wasn't sure of myself.

Now I know, with satisfaction, that I am not normal – or what the world deems normal. I mentioned it to a writer friend and he said, "Thank God you aren't normal! How boring is that?"

The quiz began with, "Are you M or F?" Easy enough and I am normal to be one or the other. After answering all the questions, here is my result:

Your Normalcy Quotient is: 68 out of 100.

Your quiz results make you a Quirky Character.

You've found yourself mostly in the middle of the road, but you have enough quirky habits to not be entirely normal. You're probably glad to be more than ordinary, but you're normal enough to fit in. Sounds like a perfect balance.

Balance. A good word. It can mean the Balance energy bars, balance on a gymnastic beam, balance between busy and bored, or meaning you have good balance to walk easily.

I like the Balance bars, I never was good at gymnastics but sure admire the sprightly gals (and guys) who flip in the air, my life has a good balance between too busy and bored (I am never bored!) but my balance in walking is a day-to-day wonderment.

With multiple sclerosis, each square on the calendar is truly a new day. Maybe I will get up and walk – with or without help – or maybe my legs will say to me, "Hey, Liz, stay in bed a while longer."

There is more to life than walking. Either way I am glad to wake up and have another day. Maybe that's the quirky part in my character, but it keeps me moving on. I know I'm not alone in having MS or any special need that can be a burden and, if we let it, defeat us. I am too stubborn to be crushed.

I am really fortunate to be a part of a remarkable volunteer group on www.MSWorld.org. I found them in 1997 when my MS became an issue in my life and I needed answers – or at least a listening ear to help me sort out my life with MS. You won't see Annette Funicello, Montel Williams, Terri Garr or David Lander on MSWorld but you will find people like you and me who need a friend who "gets it."

It is difficult to explain the fatigue without looking lazy. I explain it by saying it's like when you have the flu and lie down and feel as if you are sinking into the mattress and you never want to move. The idea of getting up to get a glass of water is tiresome but most of us hate to ask for help. We are an independent bunch of rascals who want to keep moving

The resources on MSWorld are plentiful with an online LivingMS magazine where you will see artwork, photography, poetry, in memory, pets and essays by people with MS. A Resource section includes book reviews, medical and financial links, a new Ways to Wellness section and more. MSWorld has monitored chats, guest chats and message boards for everyone who has MS or their friends and family wanting to learn more.

Caregivers and family are affected by MS, too, and also need support. Medically, it has been possible to diagnose MS (and most likely other diseases) at younger ages. I have seen teens chatting who have MS so we are accommodating their needs to talk to peers as well. Fortunately, those diagnosed today have medical options that were not available in 1987 when I was diagnosed. Even though I was diagnosed at 36, I was symptomatic since I was 18. All of my adult life, I have been living with the disease and learning to adapt – which can be difficult without support.

If you are quirky or have MS (or both like me) or someone you know has MS and you want to learn more, join us on MSWorld for a safe chat or message boards. You will be welcomed into Club MS, as we call it at times, and be a part of an international family of people who need a shoulder to lean on – albeit virtual – a listening ear in form of typing, information and friendship.

For more information about MS, check out MSWorld.org. You won't be disappointed.

Published in Suburban News Publications



Liz Thompson is a freelance writer and former Suburban News Publications reporter who lives in Grove City with her husband, Bob.

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