Tag Archives: Health Central

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Destination Unknown

While you are in the midst of pre-holiday scramble, take a moment to read my latest essay on Health Central’s MS site. My seasonally non-specific December post will not only give you a break from the stress of the holiday prep crazies, but it will also put your life in to a comparative perspective that may be comforting at the time of year when we all take stock. But that’s just my speculation. Go decide for yourself.  And return to your previously scheduled “holiday crazy” with a new perspective~

Destination Unknown

If you are reading this post, chances are good that you’ve been diagnosed with MS and have your very own diagnostic tale; a “Where were you when you heard about Kennedy, Lennon, Cobain” story. It’s often the first exchange when two people with MS meet.  “Diagnosed, 1988, only took one week after my first symptom,” or “Diagnosed last year after a decade of unexplained symptoms and dismissive doctors.” No matter how our stories differ, that day puts us on the same train; the one with no clear destination or announcements along the way to keep our bearings. (more)

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This just in!

Health Central has produced some terrific Multiple Sclerosis videos over the years that are a must see.

And here is my contribution:

While you are there, check out the other offerings of the site. The conversations going on in the MS community are not only informative but are often soothing. It’s good to know that you are not the only one dealing with it.

Enjoy and spread the link. * Full discloser:

*This was a challenging shoot (4+ hours). I think I slept for 3 hours after all was said and done. Kudos to the camera man and the editors who made it seem like a smooth conversation!

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Dear Blog: I’ll make it up to you~

I know, I know. You are shaking your proverbial head, clucking your proverbial tongue saying, I knew after that LJBF (let’s just be friends) letter that you would forget about me. But please, blog, let me explain.

You see, the writing at MS Health Central has really picked up and I’m finding the content of that site to be valuable; I’m honored to be a part of it. And get this- I’m doing a video project there as well. (of course I could be doing the same with you, just saying..)

Then there is Wego; an incredible site that “Empowers Health Activists.” (check out the link to see what that means! It’s the blue word “Wego.” But of course you know that!) There are some very exciting things happening on that site and I’ve been contributing in many ways.  I was recently on a panel talking to pharma on behalf of the MS community.  And…I’ve  been a part of video conversations with meaningful topics like “The Decision to Use an Assistive Device”– but those haven’t launched yet, so you wouldn’t know about it. (I’ll be sure to keep you “posted” if you are interested!) Oh, and most recently I’ve been looking for other people with MS who want to be in these video conversations. So blog, please spread the word.. I’m sure that there are a lot of people with MS who would love to participate… and you are still in my top 3 list of reaching out to peeps with MS. (PWMS)

I’ve also been very busy with MSLOL Radio– the monthly webcast that highlights people who have a significant role in the community. And there are so many! (I hope you noticed that I used your name for this show; so you should feel honored.) Because I want to “give the people what they want” I am taking suggestions for topics.

And then there is MS SoftServe. Of course I’ve been talking about this with you for ages now. But things are ramping up. We have applied for our first grant and have many more apps on deck. Getting this site up and running is imminent and it will not only be invaluable to the newly diagnosed, but also to the long term-ers who don’t want to know about every possible MS symptom that may never effect them. (MSSoftServe.org is the staging ground.) And there are some amazing features for individualizing the learning experience. Oh, I forgot to tell you… I have another blog dedicated to MSSoftServe. Perhaps you’ve run into each other at the water cooler. This has been so helpful in keeping everyone up to date on our progress.

Please don’t look at me that way. I promise I won’t go so long without a meaningful entry. Hey, here’s what I’ll do… I won’t just post links to my other writings – I’ll post information about the links. That way people will stop and read you for a bit- and it will keep you update on where I am. How does that sound?

I won’t say how important you are to me; I don’t want it to sound hollow. I’ll just prove my loyalty to you and not go months without talking to you. You’ll see. It will be great!

Thanks for being my BBF*.

Love, Amy

*best blog forever!

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Please Don’t Hate Me!

Dear Blog,

Please listen to me. I wouldn’t cheat on you. You are, and always will be my main squeeze. I mean c’mon, we’ve been so close since we first met in 2007. And we have had so many LOLs together. I realize that I haven’t been around much lately, or answered your emails. It’s just that I’ve been busy. I know, I know I’ve always had plenty of time for you. And okay, facebook had distracted me for a while, but I always come back to you- sharing my deepest emotions, ones that I couldn’t tell anyone else. You’ve been such a supportive part of my life and that means the world to me. No, I’m not breaking up with you. It’s just I’m hoping that we can see other people.

You see, I’ve started seeing Health Central’s MS Site on and off. While nothing compares to you, there are some things I need to say there. And yes, the giveback there is helping my non-profit MSSS come to life. You remember MS SoftServe, right? We’ve spoken about my connection there many times. I promise that I will reserve the words that are closest to my heart for you. And just to prove to you nothing inappropriate is going on, every moment I spend there I promise to give you a link so that you can see for yourself .

There is nothing to be threatened by, so I hope you are okay with it. And while I won’t be around as often, I will always to come back to you. In fact, I have this great idea in my head right now. It’s about MS and exercise… I debated where to write it and when push came to shove you won Blog. You can expect me back with that one soon. But in the mean time, check out this one I just wrote at Health Central. And thanks for being so understanding!  You’re  ’da best!

With a pixelated love found nowhere else on the Internet,

Amy

P.S. incase you didn’t know Blog, the word “wrote” is a link. Incase you missed it: http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/93851/109609/home