I only found out about Alan Osmond's MS the other day. I served an LDS mission in Asia 25 years ago and was diagnosed with Hansen's Disease a few years ago, too late to arrest significant permanent peripheral nerve damage. I am on treatment that will stop progression fairly quickly, but it means that I have some understanding of MS. The diseases are different, but some of the effects are very similar. When diagnosed, I decided that I would not allow the disease to rule me either. I admire Alan's strength. Such diseases can be lonely trials.
I've had M.S. as past 19 yrs and thank God, apart from fatigue and some 'word' problems and slower reaction times when I'm tired,I'm not too bad. During my bad times, I've been given either steroid tablets or steroid injections which have worked for about 6 months each time. I tried 'Provical' for a while when my fatigue was particularly bad but ended up coming of it as it left me like a zombie. Sleep wasn't even on the agenda - I was awake 24/7 when I was on it and just couldn't find the dose that suited - 1 wasn't enough - 2 and I didn't want to sleep at all. Now I just put up with the fatigue - not without a great deal of complaing to God about feeling so tired and why, of all the disabilites, he had to give me something that no-one seems to understand anything about. I'm sure he is fed up listening to me!!! Sometimes peoples attitude to m.s. really makes me angry - if you are seen to do too much they think you are 'faking it' and if you get a tried day you are just being lazy and bone idle. You just can't win with some folk. They don't even make any attempt to understand the disease. The one thing I couldn't do without right now is my wee JRT (Jack Russell Terrier). Even on a tired day, Alisha-mil needs out for a walk so no matter how bad I feel, I have to put my little darling first. Even a short walk can lift my spirts esp if we bump into fellow dog-owners. She is such a popular wee thing that complete strangers stop to talk to her. I guess there is that verse in the Bible - don't forget to entertain strangers as they may be angels unawares. What a lovely thought!! I know God has a plan for all our lifes - are we given these disabilites as an example to show others how life can go on? Maybe we are to take the word 'disability' and take the word 'ability' out of it - we have the 'ability' to do whatever we put our minds to. Something I've found the 'ability' to do in recent years is something I count a God-given gift - something I was never able to do at school - that is arts and crafts - xstitch, card making, art etc. I have found so many genuinely lovely friends though this hobby. Some have M.S., some have M.E. and some have F.M. I guess all of us with M.S. and other neurological conditions have to show those who doubt us that we can do 'anything through Him who loves us'. May God Bless you and your family Alan and may you keep on appearing with your brothers.
2 comments:
I only found out about Alan Osmond's MS the other day. I served an LDS mission in Asia 25 years ago and was diagnosed with Hansen's Disease a few years ago, too late to arrest significant permanent peripheral nerve damage. I am on treatment that will stop progression fairly quickly, but it means that I have some understanding of MS. The diseases are different, but some of the effects are very similar. When diagnosed, I decided that I would not allow the disease to rule me either. I admire Alan's strength. Such diseases can be lonely trials.
I've had M.S. as past 19 yrs and thank God, apart from fatigue and some 'word' problems and slower reaction times when I'm tired,I'm not too bad. During my bad times, I've been given either steroid tablets or steroid injections which have worked for about 6 months each time. I tried 'Provical' for a while when my fatigue was particularly bad but ended up coming of it as it left me like a zombie. Sleep wasn't even on the agenda - I was awake 24/7 when I was on it and just couldn't find the dose that suited - 1 wasn't enough - 2 and I didn't want to sleep at all. Now I just put up with the fatigue - not without a great deal of complaing to God about feeling so tired and why, of all the disabilites, he had to give me something that no-one seems to understand anything about. I'm sure he is fed up listening to me!!! Sometimes peoples attitude to m.s. really makes me angry - if you are seen to do too much they think you are 'faking it' and if you get a tried day you are just being lazy and bone idle. You just can't win with some folk. They don't even make any attempt to understand the disease. The one thing I couldn't do without right now is my wee JRT (Jack Russell Terrier). Even on a tired day, Alisha-mil needs out for a walk so no matter how bad I feel, I have to put my little darling first. Even a short walk can lift my spirts esp if we bump into fellow dog-owners. She is such a popular wee thing that complete strangers stop to talk to her. I guess there is that verse in the Bible - don't forget to entertain strangers as they may be angels unawares. What a lovely thought!! I know God has a plan for all our lifes - are we given these disabilites as an example to show others how life can go on? Maybe we are to take the word 'disability' and take the word 'ability' out of it - we have the 'ability' to do whatever we put our minds to. Something I've found the 'ability' to do in recent years is something I count a God-given gift - something I was never able to do at school - that is arts and crafts - xstitch, card making, art etc. I have found so many genuinely lovely friends though this hobby. Some have M.S., some have M.E. and some have F.M. I guess all of us with M.S. and other neurological conditions have to show those who doubt us that we can do 'anything through Him who loves us'. May God Bless you and your family Alan and may you keep on appearing with your brothers.
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