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Pat Dwyer born in Thurles, Co. Tipperary (Ireland). Living in Portlaoise since 1988 and spent 2 years in Ballyfin College, completing his Leaving Certificate there in 1979. At this stage of his life he considers himself an honorary Laois man! Opened Bealtaine Festival (The Bealtaine Laois Festival of Literature celebrates writing, storytelling, music and live performance in County Laois) with Tom Nestor in May 2002 launching his first book of poetry-From Thurles to Cuba with Love at the same event. Married to Joan, they have three children. Writes poetry in both English and Spanish. Prizewinner in the Spanish Section of the Dun Laoighaire/Rathdown International Poetry Competition 1998. Other publications include a poem in From Here to the Horizon, Laois Anthology 1999. The poem Un Cuba Libre was originally written in Spanish and later anglicised. This book Bright Clouds is his first venture into non-fiction and was written because he is personally affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

New member. Profile, 45, DX 90. Pre-MS Life: Active outdoors-ite, massage therapist, avid plantswoman, favorite hobby was bellydancing. Since MS: ethnic chowhound, Indian spice fiend, bollywood maven, thriftmaster, hobbyist at tailoring/designing clothing, backyard wildlife photographer, garage sale troller.

Food means everything to me, but am admittedly no gourmet. Often, the simpler the better, less can be more! I dream of baking simple flatbreads on an open fire! Fry spices in my dreams! Heaven is a tandoori oven -- baking the whole meal on skewers and slapping the breads onto the side of the oven! though unmanageable at the moment, I still can admire others' tandoors, can't I?

Married 7 years to a poor fellow who was unwittingly converted to ethnic chowhoundry. Multicultural and sometimes wierd New Jersey is a living character in our lives.

Currently sole treatment for MS is five-element-qigong, i.e. anywhere from 1-1/2 to 5 hours of daily meditation.

I grew up in Hawaii and the Mariana Islands. I went to school first in Seattle and then in Israel, and then lived in many places before finding my way back home to Hawaii in 1984. I have been married to David, who is from Israel, since 1990. We have 3 children: Elan who is 21 - married and in the air force, Eliana who is 8, and Yaron who is 3.

I was tentaviely diagnosed with MS in July 2004 and it was then confirmed by MRI in September. I am on Copaxone, and trying to treat symptoms with natural means. I use a cane any time I need to walk more than a few steps or stand up for more than a few minutes. I have really been knocked off my feet (literally) by this dramatic change in lifestyle. My whole family is reeling. Super Mom isn't any more.

Before MS, my hobbies included teaching and performing Israeli dance, teaching vegetarian cooking classes, power walking 3 miles a day, swimming, searching flea markets for treasures, playing the piano, among other things. Now my hobbies are mainly limited to things I can do sitting down. I enjoy e-mailing, shopping on eBay, reading adventure novels, photography, and going for short, gentle walks on the beach with my kids to find shells and beach glass. I still try to play the piano, but the hands and brain don't work very well any more. The only physical activity I can handle now is swimming, which I can only do for 2 hours a week because of my work schedule.

I am happy to find this kind, positive, and supportive group of people at Musings!

Bio: I was dx'd in 1989, a true animal lover, married with three grown children and my first grandson. I have a wonderful Canine Partner, named Fennec, a 3 and 1/2 yr. old service dog whom makes my life much easier. I continue to work part time hours for Pen Dot taking state ID and Drivers License Photo's, and will continue to do so as long as possible.

Oh me cookies, where to start? Silly me, start with my name. My name is Rina Buitendag and me lives on my farm in the Valley Of 1000 Hills 40 kilometers from Durban, South Africa. All the workers on my farm are Zulu people. They are the most gentle and loyal people you would ever want to know.

Me love to sit in front of my fire place during the long cold nights of May through September and write poems. Me have won several national and international awards for my poetry. Oh and me wrote two books with Loren Moore from Texas, U S A.

Cookies, me did not tell you the truth. There is one worker on my farm that is not Zulu. He is Kentucky, my rooster, who crows every morning at sun rise until he has all in the house out of bed. He is our alarm clock.

I was born and raised in the small town of Augusta, Kansas, that is only a few miles outside of Wichita. I married a native Texan in 1977 and was soon transplanted to Dallas. A large city offers many things, but I miss the slower pace of small town America. I have two stepchildren and three grandchildren. Pets have always played a huge part in my life, and I can’t imagine a home without them. In fact, they were my inspiration to begin writing. I’ve had stories or poems featured by Starfish, Storytime Tapestry as a Senior Writer, Driftwood, Inspired Buffalo, Women With Heart, Texas Bob’s World, Hearts With Soul, Petwarmers, Pearlsoup, SFPNN, Christian Voices, Heartwarmers, Warm Fuzzy Stories, and In The Light of Angels.I was more than honored when Starfish added me to their Wall of Fame as a Featured Writer. I’ve always felt my one mission in life was to give loving homes to the dear creatures God has provided for us – they are always at our side with their unconditional love.

John Caldwell, Columnist, Writer
57 married with four grown kids and loads of grandkids. Three grown step kids and more grandkids.

In 1996 I was an active man with a couple of jobs going at once. Electronic Mechanic at the transit company and a side job doing satelite sound system installs. Was building on an office on our house. Life was well set out but then one day on the roof my mind went kind of strange. Heights have never been a problem but it was now. I feared how I could get down.

A series of tests later including a spinal tap I had an answer, I have MS. I lost the ability to feel hunger so I lost weight. At the start I was 195# and after a relatively short time I bottomed out at 120#.

Then I lost use of my left hand which shakes only when I need to use it. I was facing a life where most of what I owned was no longer usable. The wife I had back then left me with my two youngest daughters. I always have tinkered with stuff and had the tools I needed. I am also a amateur radio operator which also I lapsed into non use. Retired and looking for something to do.

Life was mostly on the internet where I had sticky keys which let me type with one hand. There I had an outlet for my kind of humor. I once was labeled a “Class Clown” in broadcast school. Have always been happy in what I do, but now the MS had gotten the better of me.

I had discovered the Ms support groups and found a number of amazing people. One amazing person had me go to a site where there were stories and poems written by people with MS. Long story short, I found myself where I never thought I could do anything but only what I had been doing. Now I have discovered I can write.

It has been over 12 years with MS and some really great friends both online and the radio. Have written every month since Feb.2005. No longer drive, walk or even wear long pants. But I am still here and all Texan, which is a good source of yarn.

Life is Good!
Reach John by email: johncaldwell_51@yahoo.com

Hello! My name is John Cole. I work for a large computer chip manufacturer in Boise, ID. I am a father of one (daughter) and grandfather of two beautiful litle girls, Jordyn and Madison. Writing poetry is my main hobby and I find great inspiration from my very good friend, Pin, who writes some incredibly touching poetry herself. When I'm not putting pen to paper, you can find me working with wood; making chess boards/pieces, lamps, and barnwood picture frames. Weekends usually find me hanging with my many friends; movies, dining, go-karts, golf, bowling, the list goes on--ya GOTTA have friends!

Hi, my name is Jacquie Rosencrantz and I’d like to tell you about myself. My best friend Holly, who has MS, introduced me to MS MuSings. The articles are super, uplifting and encouraging. I’m glad to be a part of this upbeat group of individuals!

I grew up near the beach, where I met Holly, and have many incredible memories of those days. Now I’m married to a wonderful guy who is a great inspiration to all, especially me. He only has one arm and he can do anything…well he can’t cut his steak with a knife and fork! But he can tie his shoes. We’ve been married 11 years.

I have two grown daughters and one granddaughter; she is totally cool and is only 1½ years old. Oh, and I can’t forget I have Mitzi my 8 year old American Eskimo who is wonderful!

The Forest Service was where I worked for 28 years; most of it in Idaho. During this time I developed a heart problem called atrial fibrillation. I used medications to try to keep it in control, but many times it just beat me up and I couldn’t do much of anything. Then when I started working in Albuquerque NM, I ended up in the emergency room because of it (A-Fib). My doctor told me I should retire. I did. We played for about 6 months and then we decided to go back to work doing things we wanted to do.

Right now we’re full time RVers (we live full time in a 5^th-wheel). We work in various campgrounds as a Workamper. It’s pretty cool because we get to meet all sorts of people from all over. Right now we’re working in a Marina in Washington. Guess the point here is, if I stay in the lower elevations I can continue to work and I’m so glad that God has given me the opportunity to do different things despite the heart condition. I’m writing short stories for kids and have written many poems. The only thing I can’t do is the artistry for my stories, but that will come with time!

I am 56 and have had MS since I was 32. I have been married since was 16 and have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. I lived on a ranch all my life until the past 20 years I've had to live in town so I can get help. I live in Del Rio, Texas.

Mr Lawrence Roper, a qualified adult placement carer, has had a long history of caring for disabled people. This has been clearly evident in the 20 years he dedicated in raising his disabled nephew, Darren. Apart from Darren he has four other disabled people in his family and continues to offer his unconditional support to them. Lawrence biggest challenges facing this kind of responsibility has been the lack of social services dedicated to helping disabled peole which others take for granted. Such as creating and meeting new friends, visiting places of entertainment in groups, as well as the ability to talk in debates, participate in global forums about things that may effect them.

Lawrence relentlessly scoured the internet for such a unified and comprehensive area that addressed this lack of service, but there was nothing. He spoke to many people both in the UK social services and in the disabled community and it quickly it became quite clear what a huge problem this is for disabled people everywhere. He raised the idea of a dedicated internet site with the authorities and organisations that represent disabled people. They were hugely enthusiastic but couldn't take it on as a project themselves because no funding was available. So he decided to use his own savings and tackle the issue myself for the benefits of others worldwide. He has spent more than £60,000 initiating disabledfreinds.com, after collaborating with and obtaining the positive views of groups and organisations that represent disabled people.

Disabledfriends.com has been aided considerably by a specialist focus group to create and develop a secure & robust web site, and a steering group of advisors on issues affecting disabled people, with the aim of making disabledfreinds.com a global success.

I am single again. I was divorced for many years but my ex-husband has passed away so I guess that makes me single. I am a mother of one daughter, grandmother of two granddaughters ages 16 and almost 5, step-grandmother of two...one girl 22 and a boy 20. I spent 30 years working in a Physical Therapy as a Tech. I also bartended on the weekends. As of right now I am retired from both jobs due to the MS factor. I have also brought my committee participation down to one...I am an elected School Board member. When my term is up I will have spend 12 years as a board member. My interests are varied...I love to read, garden, travel, cross stitching, embroidering, talking on the phone and spend time with family and friends. I have a passion for motorcycling. I owned one for about 25 years. When one of the hospitals was installing a cycle parking pad...I designed it. Still works after 25 years. Right now due to the MS factor I cannot either own one or ride on one due to the balance problem. I enjoy the computer and meeting new people on it. My goal right now is to change the way people view handicap people. I use the decorated canes and crutches as one step towards it. I also use humor as a big part to let people know we are human. I also would like to see many of the handicap parking areas changed. We have to walk way out of the way in order to get somewhere and most doors do not open easily. My goal is to change some of this. Both of my Physicians would like to see me doing talks at the MS support groups because of my positive attitude. I will probably do that one day.

Paul signs autographs following his performance of "Please Remember Me" at an MSKids meeting.

The Poughkeepsie native has worked with record producers who have worked with Madonna and Santana.

Today, the singer-songwriter is scheduled to travel to Ohio and perform at an event staged by an organization founded by a mother and daughter interested in learning more about pediatric MS. The daughter involved with launching the MS Kids Connection was diagnosed with MS at age 13.

The organization's "Main Event" will be held in Hamilton, Ohio. The master of ceremonies will be retired Cincinnati Bengals strong safety David Fulcher and the event will feature NASCAR Craftsman Truck Driver Kelly "Girl" Sutton, who at 16 was diagnosed with MS.

"I had no plans last year," said Nicholas, who works at Starbucks in New Paltz. "And then I was on national TV."

Nicholas in June appeared on "The Montel Williams Show," whose host also has MS. He was invited to appear on the show after approaching the Montel Williams MS Foundation about donating money from sales of his CD, "Remember Me Forever."

"This year, I had no plans and I'm flying out to Cincinnati," said Nicholas, who added that he tries to be "a little hope and inspiration for people going through tough times."

According to the National MS Society, approximately 400,000 Americans have MS. Worldwide, MS affects approximately 2.5 million individuals. In New York state, more than 25,000 people have MS, with 400 of those in Dutchess County and 250 in Ulster County.

Nicholas said he feels a special connection to the MS Kids Connection. Although he was diagnosed with MS at age 26, Nicholas was recently told by a doctor that he has had MS since he was 10.

The connection that Nicholas recently learned he has to children with MS underscored his interest in getting involved with the MS Kids Connection.

"When I first got diagnosed, I was so sad, you know," he said. "There was nothing really uplifting. The information out there, it's kind of a downer. I think I'm just putting a new spin and face on MS."

Nicholas over the next several months will continue to work on his music and his commitment to those with MS. He is scheduled to be featured in the January issue of MS Focus, the national magazine of the MS Foundation. In May, Nicholas will perform as the opening act for an appearance on an MS awareness-related ship cruise by actress Teri Garr, who in 2002 revealed that she has MS.

I was diagnosed with MS in 2002, I have had symptoms for a few years, but I thought they were all work related, never to expect the devasting news. I could not believe what I was told, so I kept it to myself for a while and went to another doctor, and again was told the same thing MS. I thought my life was over. The symptoms vanished for a while so I refused to accept my illness, then here came the MonSter all over again, and I started adjusting to a new life. I have 2 sons and one beautiful grandaughter, and a wonderful roomate Shirley, and of course 2 dogs. I work full time refusing to give in, but it is getting very hard for me, but my mind sort of works like the little train engine "I think I can." I am determined to try to keep going with the help of my family and friends. MS is like an amusement park day to day, you never know what ride you will be on next. Thank you, my dear friends Tina and Kate for being so kind and understanding with me, and thank you Shirley for always being there for me, and my grandaughter Kaelegh for always adding sunshine in my life......... I love you all

Someday i am going to stand on top of a mountain holding everything i ever dreamed of right there in my hand..