I told Dan that I still remember the last big, long walk I ever took like it was yesterday. My first physical therapist, Heather, and I were at the Bower Theater in Flint, Michigan, to see the musical “La Cage aux Folles.” It was highly promoted so naturally, the parking lot was packed the afternoon of the performance we attended. I found an open parking space in what felt was about a mile away from the theater, but at least I got a spot, was on time and was able to enjoy the show. I remember everything about that May 2002 afternoon so vividly. It was just five short years after my diagn ..read more

Jennifer and I have known for years that Multiple Sclerosis affects everybody differently. But we quickly are learning that not all MS patients are attacking their disease the same way. Yes, it is a generational thing. For real. Generational. We proudly proclaim that we are members of Generation X. We were diagnosed around the same time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a bit before the Internet became the go-to resource for essentially everybody. Enter the Millennial Generation, the generation that always has had the Internet and is very comfortable with technology and social media ..read more

“We appreciate MS can change the challenges of even the simplest daily tasks … and we understand how it makes you feel  – physically and emotionally. Why? Because we are peers … we too live with MS and we understand it at the most basic level, Share your insight and commiserate with others who know.” –AnCan MS Support Group website People in the Multiple Sclerosis community occasionally are a little envious of Dan and me because, with us both having the disease, we have a built-in MS support group. We just celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on September 10. Wow! Fourteen years ..read more

We often say that together we show how Multiple Sclerosis affects everyone differently. While it’s easy to see that MS impacts Jennifer’s ability to walk (hint: she sits in it every day and it’s the key to her independence), most times you never could tell Dan is living with this chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system. But a few recent shoppers at Kohl’s saw firsthand (and Dan was so rudely reminded) that he isn’t always above the realities of MS. Want to hear what led Dan to literally sit on Jennifer’s lap in middle of the checkout line? Listen to the current episod ..read more

I actually teared up a little when I watched the news story yesterday that said former MLB player Bill Buckner passed away on May 27. In honor of him and his storied career – and the memories his fateful night inspired for me nearly 33 years ago – here is a repost of an essay that originally appeared here on Oct. 26, 2011. RIP, Bill Buckner. *** Most people from my parent’s generation can tell you exactly where they were the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Exactly where, when the United States’ 35th president was shot at 12:29 p.m. Dallas time on Nov. 22, 1963. Among similar ev ..read more

A new study funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has confirmed that nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the United States, more than twice the original estimate from a previous study. That is proof positive that those of us living with Multiple Sclerosis truly are one in a million! Dan and me at Walk MS 2018 in Frankenmuth, Michigan. This gives us a million reasons to raise money and walk in the annual NMSS Walk MS event again this year. Sure, I don’t walk and haven’t been able to for more than 17 years, but this is yet another reason why Dan and I am walking May ..read more

One of the biggest things Jennifer and I fear with us both living with Multiple Sclerosis was recently realized. I got out of bed and couldn’t stand up to walk. Me, Jennifer’s primary caregiver who is the physical force behind her every transfer in and out of her power wheelchair, lost control of my legs, collapsed into the wall and crashed down to my knees. It wasn’t good. My getting to the bathroom was simultaneously the first and least of my concerns. Sure, I had to go, but more important to me: who was going to help Jennifer when she needed to go? We’ve gotten through our more ..read more