"The Hope"
by Katherine Ryan
2006

I walk around with my arms and legs full of holes
Not really knowing what tomorrow may hold
The doctors were sure
The tests all came back
It was no pinched nerve
It was an MS attack!
An MS attack?  
Why they must be all wrong
It can't happen to me
I'm healthy and strong
With no real known cause and with no real
     known cure
I think, Oh my God
I'm doomed for sure
Then they tell me good people are reaching
   for hope
And finding new ways to help us all cope
So I walk away with so much to swallow
The steroids, the treatment injections are 
   all soon to follow
Each day now I realize how much I am blessed
I have a great challenge, a reason to get up
   and get dressed.
And now when my arms and legs are filled
   with hose holes
Each one is a reminder of the hope that's 
   the goal.

---

   I was diagnosed with MS in 2006. I am an artist who specializes in hand painting the likenesses of people's pets but I have put up on my website an MS Support Page in hopes to raise awareness and money for the MS Society. I found out immediately how difficult the disease is and wanted to give back as much as I could to help find a cure.  
   I have permanent numbness on both sides of my body and chronic spasticity in my legs. I don't respond to steroids or any other medicine so far, so I take my weekly injections of Avonex and continue to try new meds to help the spasticity, and hope for the best.  
   I think it is very important that we raise awareness of this disease. I knew nothing about it prior to my diagnosis and realize that most people don't either. despite it being a disease that doesn't have a real known cause, prevention or cure.
   We have a walk team – Peg Leg Petes.  
   There are items I have designed or handmade and I donate a portion of the proceeds to The National MS Society. This is the MS support page on my website: Katherine Ryan Collectibles.    – Katherine Ryan

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