As MS patients, we must feel no accountability or responsibility for our disease. We didn't drink to excess to get MS. We didn't take drugs to give us MS. We didn't smoke to become MS patients. We didn't do anything to deserve this debilitating, unpredictable and misunderstood (but very real) disease.
I try to look at a very few of my 'heroes' who have MS. I find them lucky to achieve their successes. I also find it wonderful that they can continue their lives productively and offer their help in educating the masses about MS.
- David Landers - He played 'Squiggy' on Laverne and Shirley and hid his MS disease for many reasons. Fortunately, he wrote a book about his experiences with MS and his fears to disclose his disease.
- Montel Williams - Has a talk show and uses his celebtityy to educate and encourage those with MS to be proactive in their treatment and care. He has a website, along with six of his books that I recommend highly. http://www.spotlighthealth.com/multiple_...
- Richard M. Cohen - journalist, cancer survivor, father of three and husband to Meridith Viera of ABC's The View (not to mention the daily version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
These people are only a smattering of my heroes. They have taken a disease like MS and spent their time, money, energy and celebrity to educate and put a 'face' on this disease. In addition, they have conducted their careers, family responsibilities and are available to the many of us who are personally involved in conquering MS.
I urge you to stop, take a deep breath and join the battle. You are not required to disclose your illness. Although fictional, I guess my best hero, albeit television, would be Jeb Bartlett of the West Wing. His position as president of the United States is a daunting one, and yet, The West Wing also includes MS as a real obstacle, especially in a world that is not educated, including it in a venue that reaches a broad audience.
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