Playing this page

I was born in Anadarko Okla. during WWII. Shortly after the war ended and my Dad came home from Germany, we moved to Amarillo, Texas. Since then I have married twice and given birth to three beautiful daughters. I started writing poems at a very early age and have continued. I have lived in a lot of states, but somehow, someway I ended up living and working for Boeing in Seattle, Wash. While there I acquired on the job writing skills and also some writing courses.

After working for Boeing for over 15 years my husband and I retired early and moved to New Mexico. Here, at last, I can let my imagination run wild. My only problem is trying to keep to one task at a time. I am so use to multi tasking that I still find myself trying to do five things at once.

On a more personal note, I love the colors Burgundy, all shades of blue and lavender. I have two dogs. One of them is a white male, Maltese named Prince Amigo and the other is a female Silver Miniature Schnauzer, named Muffin. I love to cook, paint, sew, design quilts and of course write. Also, it has taken me 30 years, but I have finally become an Ordained Minister. I plan to spend most of my time in Women's Ministries. I think my life is busier now then when I was working.

Since I first sent in an article to the MS Mag. concerning my youngest daughter,(who has MS) I have found so many caring people. It has been my privilege and honor to be associated with MS Musing. Thank you for being there for so many.

I can tell you about myself. I'm a retired cop from Newark, NJ, 44 years old retired because got shot. I think that caused my MS, have have it about 10 years. Married, 1 son, and my MS is alright right now. I'm trying to start Prokarin I heard good things about it,

I can't find a Dr for a script but I will. I love your site I just stumbled on it, excuse the pun. Thank You.

I am so incredibly blessed to be, foremost and always, the willing pen of God's mouth, Mother of 2 (35 & 39), bonus Mom of 2 (42 & 46), grandmother to 2 girls (12&13) and 2 boys (16&18), and bonus-grandmother to ten (I think!). AND! recently bonus-GREATgrandmother to twin boys: father James, bonus daughter Theresa's son. Finally, I am "sister" to my friends and to all I meet.
     My life resembles a roller coaster or a yo-yo. Perhaps both! Raised in a home fraught with all forms of child abuse, I was fortunate to discover Christ at age 6: when a church school said Jesus loves me. Not only does He loves me and you, but Christ offers a future far better than my childhood. I wanted and still desire that future of perfection. So, at 9, I was baptized; and, at 18 I left home and sought out a therapist.
     Someone had to have answers to living a better life than the examples I'd grown up with: for myself and any children, if I were so blessed. Indeed, Yeshua was watching over me: He put me in the hands of a wonderful Christian psychiatrist, John P. Methner of Ft. Worth/Dallas, Texas. I pray exceeding blessings on that wonderful man... even if he did make me cry in the beginning. After the death of two of daughters, he refused to charge me a penny. I vowed then that I would become a therapist and never charge for guidance services. After all, there are many desperately wanting guidance but cannot afford most doctors' exorbitant fees. Besides, change is never effective without God included in our healing equation, and many counselors refuse to include Him.
     Then, Unicorn Haven was born, but it wouldn't be until 1997 that I bought my own home; wherein I began an intensive all-inclusive in-resident program for troubled teen girls and women. Alas, 2 years later, health dictated I no longer could work an outside job, but the Haven kept going for another year until my retirement funds ran out. I searched far and wide for someone to back this free program, but because I refused to have it incorporated as non-profit, no one was interested. Alas, the house was sold just short of the auction block, I went into public housing for seniors and disabled as well as receiving social security disability benefits. But, PRAISE THE LORD! I have all I need and still offer free counseling one-on-one, face-to-face, and recently began offering therapy via email. The latter is difficult, more so for the participant than for me, yet do-able! So, if you need me, just send an email!
     I am disabled with MS, Lupus, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and a host of other related issues; yet, I PRAISE THE LORD in it all, for not only is His grace sufficient for this pitiful sinful Eve, a mere speck of dust in the order of His kingdom, but I know also that ALL things work to my good because I love Adonai! Still, He has blessed me with the ability to tap a computer keyboard with His Truths! What an awesomely blessed anointing!
     My background includes banking, law, College Real Estate teacher, 911 dispatcher and certified firefighter: all of which compliments my work in the Bible. I never wanted to do all those jobs. Ah, but now I understand God's purpose! I spend a lot of time huddled over my keyboard, fingers flying as my eyes bounce from El's Holy Word to monitor and back: resulting in 4 books COMING SOON! through a bookstore near you and online, of which you can read about in the Haven's Library.

I was diagnosed with RRMS in June of 1999 after several years of being told I was nuts or that there was nothing wrong with me. I have done really well since the diagnosis and am currently on Avonex. I am 41, single, have two children, an 18 year old son and 15 year old daughter. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology and am currently pursuing a Masters in Native American Studies (I am Cherokee/Choctaw and Italian, what a combination!) and 19th Century US History. I work full time in the insurance industry; I am a writer and poet; I love to read and I enjoy people, especially my MS friends. I live one day at a time and do whatever it takes to keep smiling and laughing.

I was born in Chicago in 1940. When I was 12 years old there where 4 of us in the family, my sister who is a year younger than me and two brothers 10 and 12 years younger. My sister is a medical illustrator, the next brother is an engineer/attorney. My younger brother was a jazz pianist and developed 21 new orchid varieties naming one for our mother. Unfortunately he died four years ago.

I will accept a disability retirement on June 30, 2003. But I will keep working by consulting with several nursing homes and supervising a student, who is using art therapy.

My son whom I mentioned in the paper (July 2003 issue) is 38 years old and is an attorney working for IBM. My daughter has a bachelors degree in special education. She put a hold on that career and selected another, raising my two grandchildren ages 3 and 1. She plans on running in the Chicago Marathon year.

My wife directs the special education department of a local school district.

She had two children and an older step child when we married. The older child is now 35 with two more grandchildren aged 3 and 7. Her 24 year old daughter is a graduate of Kentucky University and was just promoted to office manager of a branch of a large bank in our community. Her 21 year old son is an a senior college student who will probably graduate next year with high honors.

BIO: I was born in Ballyboghill Ireland in 1941. I was brought to the states at the age of 11 and was raised in southern California. My father was a career Navy man. I joined the US Air Force in 1959 and was stationed in Tenn for a short time then France and Vietnam, where I flew a helicopter. I was a Police officer and have a BA in criminal Justice. I am married (38 yrs) have two children and two grand kiddies. I am considered to be a halfway decent poet and storywriter in some circles. I was DX’d with MS 5 yrs ago. And am on disability, Wife (herself) works for Dial corp ( the soap) and just retired in August '04. We then moved to Alabama!

We travel in our small motorhome and are owned by a Jack Russell mixed, named Murry. For more information you will have to read my stories.

I just feel I should maybe tell you a bit more about my self.....I have had ms symptoms since my teens...I am 42 now, I was diagnosed at the age of 34.... I didn't cope at all well to start with, practically gave up on living...but with the help of my husband Tony and my 3 kids....Emma 21, Christopher 19, and my little one Samantha-Rosemary-Claire 11 yrs I got through....and of course my online buddies who helped me learn and cope with all the things ms throws at us...... I am also very lucky to be employed at school as a dinner time playground assistant ( dinner lady ) lol, and that also keeps me young at heart as you can imagine being surrounded by 200 lively kids ....also the head master knows about my ms and is prepared to make allowances for my condition regarding days out..( should I get bad ms days )....

Nickname Oprah, from Indiana. hobbies-reading,t.v. watching, crocheting when able, Christian Music, movies.

I'm a married lady of 46 years & Oprah is my favorite talk show host. Also a mother & grandmother. M.S. is in remission now, but has reared its ugly head several times .

Phillip and I have been married 29 years. I am 47 and he is 49...we have 3 pretty great grown children. Amy, 28...Robby, 26 and Becky, 24.

Amy is right here in Birmingham, AL working for U.A.B. and finishing her grad school in education, Robby is at Texas Tech. getting his masters in philosophy, and Becky is married to Johnathan Brown and they are the proud parents of Phillip and my first granddaughter..Ally...Becky works in a Mother's-day-out school and she takes Ally with her.

I was dx with this MonSter in the fall of '83. It has become srMS...I am in a manual w/c or in bed...I have pretty good upper body strength, age, not MS has affected my eyes a little, I play "trombone" with small print.

I was diagnosed on January 23, 2003 at 10:17 am. The day before, my doc sent me in for a MRI, due to double vision! It was read, and waalaa! I have MS! It actually answered some questions (addressed some symptoms) that I've had over the last 6 years.

My family has been very supportive, and I feel lucky! I've read the "horror stories" regarding diagnosis and insurance benefits. I could be a lot worse. This is the best time ever to have MS! I can't believe I just wrote that!

Many thanks to Car and Shelly who've read what I've had to say about my thoughts and experiences. In my dreams, I reach out and touch you every day.

Howard was born in 1932 in Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY. He attended grammar school in Woodbury where Walt Whitman taught many years before. When he was 14 his family moved to Los Angeles and Howard graduated from Hamilton High in 1949.

He married in 1951 and graduated from L.I.F.E. Bible College in 1952. Howard served for a couple of years in the ministry. He worked as a carpenter and then as a small General Contractor until 1992, all the while being active in the Presbyterian Church and some rewarding ministry activities as a layman.

Howard was diagnosed with MS in 1991. Symptoms he had for many years suddenly made sense to the Dr people. Early retirement ended his time of physical accomplishments.

Fishing and power boating were interests for years but he had to lay them aside. He began woodcarving in 1999 and is very active in the Kitsap County Woodcarvers Association where he currently serves as President. Howard is an Intermediate level woodcarver and also makes small articles of furniture and unusual handcrafted gifts of exotic woods in his specially arranged shop where he spends many hours. He attends several Gift Shows in the fall where he sells his wares and receives orders for some specialty items.

Attending church has become increasingly difficult so each Sunday finds him faithfully at the TV, with Robert Schuler and The Hour of Power. Howard and Colleen live in Gig Harbor, WA. Two of their children live nearby, as do six of their eight grandchildren. He is still able to drive and get himself around, for which he is grateful.

Over the years Howard has taught and served as pulpit supply on occasion, as well as being involved in church activities in the Presbyterian Church’s they have attended. He hope that some will find help and encouragement as he writes of Faith, Family, and Friends, with conviction, humor, and honesty. He fully believes that there are Streams in the Desert – if we but look for them.

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.

I'm John Caldwell I'm 54 living in the Dallas area with my wife Wendy and our 3+ cats. I am a former mechanic and worm wrangler club Pres.. I learned of MS in 1996 but I had it for years without knowing it. I tell you what, I know too much now <smirk> I was at 195 lbs when this hit, then I spiraled down to 120 lbs before I decided to take control. Now I am at 160 lbs.

I write my stories/Tales down and converted a gift of gab to pen in writing and a “Rube Goldberg” style cartooning.

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!