This is Why it's Important to Attend Support Group Meetings & Have a Support Network of Friends: Care & Treatment Doesn't End at the Doctors

M. S. Support Group Meeting and Seminars

I attend a support group meeting every month. When I was first diagnosed, I went to a meeting, and it seemed everyone was afraid to talk about the issues they were having with m.s. After going a few times, I stopped. Fast forward to this year after moving to a different state, I ran across an article in a local paper...

IT'S OKAY TO GRIEVE FOR YOUR OLD SELF!!

 Berlena Spencer-Staton, Columnist, MSnewsChannel.com

I went to a conference in Florida last Thursday.  Friday and Saturday were spent in meetings mostly.  There were people there who usually attend every year and could see that I have progressed.  I found myself not being as sociable as I usually am.

In a small setting and around my family and friends I am okay.  They know my struggle with ms, and have seen me at worst and my best.

CLAY WALKER GAVE ME A BOOK TO HELP MEMORY ISSUES

Berlena Spencer-Staton, Columnist, MSnewsChannel.com

We are not alone!!

I attended an ms seminar on in Concord, N.C. Even though I've been diagnosed almost 20 years, it was so inspiring, and I really enjoyed it. There were people there with canes and in wheelchairs, and some walking with no assistance. I talked with a few people; some with some of the same issues I've experienced, and some had been diagnosed longer than I, and weren't even using a cane, but
were experiencing some of the same symptoms. Seeing this let me know and just confirmed that I am not alone.
There was a panel of 4 doctors, and my doctor happened to be one of the doctors. Clay Walker was the special guest, and he has been diagnosed for 16 years. He is a country and western singer, and he and his band tour all over to raise money and awareness about ms.

I've always talked about attitude being important when dealing with ms, but one thing Clay said is he believes WILL, not ATTITUDE, and that action comes from will, and that from every action there is a reaction.

For people with memory issues, he suggested a book called Moon Walking with Einstein.
He talked about how this book helped him with memory issues. It was a great evening. I am so glad I went.

I WAS DIAGNOSED 20 YEARS AGO & HAVE ADVICE FOR NEW MSers

(Berlena Spencer-Staton, Columnist, MS News Channel)

This morning while looking in a chest I hadn't been in for a while, I found a journal I started when I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

I started out with one injection called avonex in 1999, and I listed every side effect I felt from the injection, even having a tightening in my chest. I had tremors really bad then, and there was an entry on February 15, 1999 that I felt as if I couldn't go on.