I am a 49 yr old married woman. Mother of two. My oldest son is 23 soon to be 24 and in the Marines, the younger son is 22 soon to be 23 and dad to my first grandson born in July 2009. I am married to a chef and a musician (drummer). I try to see the world in TECHNICOLOR. But some days, it's just plain Black and White... Sometimes even the blind stumbling woman finds her way through. Either way, it's my world.

I have had physical challenges for the last 5 years.  I was a sales manager who traveled all over the Northeast, mostly by car and found myself exhausted by 2:00 p.m.  It was unlike me in so many ways, as I have always been 4 hours of sleep, two jobs, gigging with musician husband and bounce right back and do it all over again.  Now I am tired just doing a few loads of laundry or running the vacuum.  I try to keep pushing myself, because as tired as I am when I am done, I feel good that I was able to accomplish what I set out to do. 

So I took a huge salary cut (OUCH) and essentially convinced this company to hire me in a field that I have little experience. (I guess I can still sell, they bought it and I am still here).  I sit at a desk, instead of on the road. I do travel infrequently..but often on short notice..and sometimes International.  I no longer manage people, which I miss.  But the benefits are good, the company is solid and most of the people I work with are understanding when I have a bad day, week or month.   

I have always been the one to take care of others, keep people happy and make sure that everything is just right.  I have had to admit to myself that I am no longer superwoman, and that I need to ask for help.  This does not come easy for me, and to some degree, it is even more difficult for others.  The few times I have let this MS stuff interrupt things in my life, people who are trying to make me feel better, actually minimize it, by saying things like, oh- you are just tired, or it's your blood sugar-- no it isn't!  It is MS!

My oldest brother has MS.  He is on the other side of the country from me. I hope and pray everyday for him, for me and for all of us...  Don't pity me! Don't minimize me!
Just see me!  Just let me be me...good days are good....bad days are bad....but life is what it is---  so build a bridge and get over it.  Put on your big boy/girl pants/skirt and grow the hell up!