Before ya get too far into this page I just wanted to clarify, IT WAS MOM & ONE OF HER SISTERS WHO HAD MS, NOT ME. This page was put together mostly in memory of them, also to get the word out about just how serious MS really is:)
MySpace Dividers
Thank you to everyone for your continued support!
My family & friends are very important to me. I always MAKE TIME for my friends regardless if they're listed on here or not, but first & foremost will always be my family (as you see in the slideshow and tribute videos). Beyond that I have a wide range of interests like traveling (even if it's only a 'weekend get-away'/now mostly to Madison to see Dave as well as visit family & friends there ), some photography (mostly scenic but also enjoying black &I white), weekend projects, reading, antiques (includes antique cars) & of course shopping (when I can afford it... lol) just to name a few. I work with both Gunderson-Lutheran Hospice and
Along with various smaller projects throughout the year and working to raise MS Awareness year round.
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I also fully support and encourage organ/tissue donation. 'Organ Donor' stickers are avalible at your local DMV but MAKE SURE your family is well aware of your decision! To learn more go to www.organdonor.org
And a new one that I recently became aware of,
To learn more, visit their website at www.NILMDTS.org
I'd like to meet:
WHO WOULD I LIKE TO MEET??? People who are socially/civicly conscious & are giving back/making a difference in their community. As far as 'dating' goes, I already found that 'special someone' Thanks Hun, your the greatest!, but I still like to meet/talk with different/interesting people though & I have made some neat new friends on here also:)
I feel like I should put a 'disclaimer' on this because it is not a 'plesent topic' but it is by far is the best explanation of MS I've seen yet, very easy to follow & understand, check it out (Just so ya know, it does take a little over a half hr (aprox 36mins) to view but very well worth it).
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
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2006 Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders Symposium
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Peter A. Calabresi, MDAlthough this second video don't mention 'MS', it 'is' one of the many diseases that could possibly be eventually cured by stem cell research. (this video is aprox 14mins in length)
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Music:
I'll listen to anything but rap & metal... but mostly country, classic rock, classical & some alternative. I go more by 'I'll hear a tune & I either like it or I don't' more than by who does it. I am adding a video I did for Mom for all to enjoy. Eventhough it shows the progression of her MS, it also shows how the family remained as close as it had always been, if not closer. (Hey Mom, love & miss ya!!!)
Linda Thompson Memorial Tribute
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Linda Thompson Memorial Tribute (Alan Jackson's 'Remember When' and Diamond Rio's 'I Believe' and 'One More Day With You'
Movies:
COMEDY!!! Can't go wrong with 'The Great Outdoors' (my all time favorite) & 'Grumpier Old Men' & 'Night at the Museum' was also a great movie! After that though, I'd have to say drama, 'Pearl Harbor' was great but the option on the DVD that showed the making of it I found even more interesting. Some romantic comedies (you guys know'em as 'Chick flicks') & some suspense (depending on what it is). Eventhough the holidays are behind us now for another year, I still have to say when it comes to 'holiday specials'... 'National Lampoon Christmas Vacation' & The 'Santa Clause' movies with Tim Allen I highly recomend but 'Christmas Story' is my favorite.
Television:
Again... comedy! Re-runs of 'Home Improvement' are ALWAYS gonna be my favorites.
The complete cast...And how can ya not remember & like...
Forgive me but just had to include these two commercials... (cracks me up every time!) & video clip of 'The Mom Song'... HILLARIOUS!!!
The Roaming Gnome
Add to My Profile | More VideosWedding Auction
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|William Tell Overture
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After that, quite a bit of History, Discovery Channels, HGTV. Also ALOT of weekend movies of course it's once again 'NASCAR SEASON' so that should give ya a pretty good idea where I am on Sunday afternoons unless I have other plans. I also like my CNN/Headline News with my morning coffee just to 'know what's going on in the world' And in caes ya haven't already noticed, from Feb-Nov I round it all out with NASCAR;) (SPEED channel) Kenseth, Martin & Stewart are my 3 favorites.
Generally, as long as I find something that gives me a good laugh or stimulates at least some thought process (or both), I'm happy:)..
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Books:
Finally got done with this one & pretty good/funny! Ladies... want to understand your guy or just guys in general a little better? This might help!!! lol. Usually though, the most recent thing read is the local paper online to keep up with what's going on in the community along with the scores for De Soto's football in the fall then baseball & softball in the spring. I'll have the baseball/softball schedule posted again in the 'about me' section once we come out of 'winter hybernation' & their season starts. For other De Soto sports check here...
http://www.desoto.k12.wi.us/dhsdms/pirateathletics.htm
GO PIRATES!!!
Also this is an interesting site for anyone who wants to keep up with 'News of Norway' http://www.aftenposten.no/english/
My younger brother reads this nearly everyday & said it's interesting to see what they consider 'news' compared to here (US).
Other than that was something on the Kennedys. I also enjoy history/biographies, & books/magazines on decorating/building/re-modeling.
A real good one if you need 'Kid's gift' ideas is 'The Giving Tree' (Thanks Greg for telling me about this one).
And my all time favorite kid's book... 'Good Night Moon' (I love that one/gave it to my niece as a baby gift).
Heroes:
Anyone forced to live with devastating effects of MS as well as their families who have to go through it with them because it is a family disease. Mostly though, I'd have to say my folks. The way they handled & managed to 'work/stay together' through the progression of Mom's & not let the stress & disappointments that a prolonged illness can often cause get them down/drive'em apart is truly incredible.
-Multiple Sclerosis is the most common progressive and disabling neurological condition in young adults
-Approx 2.5 million people worldwide, have Multiple Sclerosis -In the UK, approx 70,000 people have the disease
-Approx 50,000 people in Canada have MS -In Scotland, over 10,500 people have Multiple Sclerosis
-Around 400,000 people in the United States with over 10,000 in Wisconsin living with MS.
-Each week aproximately 200 more people are newly diagnosed, 4 women to every 1 man.
-Keep in mind though, these are 'reported/diagnosed cases', there are thousands more that are not included in these numbers simply because they have not been diagnosed yet.
-In 1936, only 8% of patients were reported to survive beyond 20 years after onset of illness
-Today a patient with Multiple Sclerosis can expect to live to seven years shy of the average population life-expectancy.
Getting closer but so far there is still no cure.
Something you may or may not know, the number of 'Pediatric MS’ cases is also growing. These are kids in the age range of 0-18 years and in a news article from Chicago Tribune December of 2006, the youngest known case was 18 months. There are currently an estimated 8,000-10,000 cases in the US with another 10,000-15,000 showing the early signs but not yet correctly diagnosed. There is also information on this on the website for the national MS society for you to check out if interested.
Just what 'is' Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? and the video I put on here will explain this better but for those who couldn't get it to play (my appologies btw)or just don't have time to watch it (my appologies for the lenght also),Unlike Muscluar Distraphy (I apologize for the spelling) that attacks the muscles, Multiple Sclerosis attacks the nervous system.
MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses.In MS, myelin is attacked/destroyed/lost in multiple areas because the imune system thinks that coating is an enemy to the body & is 'not supposed to be there' so it will attack it leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. These damaged areas are also known as plaques or lesions. Sometimes the nerve fiber itself is damaged or broken.Myelin not only protects nerve fibers, but makes their job possible. When myelin or the nerve fiber is destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is disrupted, and this produces the various symptoms of MS.This effects the daily tasks of life. MS effects everyone differently! Some do have physical pain in which they do not always show, opening the door to comments such as "but you don't 'look sick'. Most though do experience increasing to very strong fatigue, Dizziness and Vertigo and many more symptoms.You can not 'prevent'MS. Also, MS is NOT hereditary, contagious nor terminal.
To learn more go to http://www.nmss.org
MS Ribbon Of Hope.
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The National Multiple Sclerosis Society holds three major 'fund raising events' each year. Along with the MS Walk, the other two that some may not be aware of/familiar with are...If interested, go to http://www.nmss.org for information/details as well as dates and locations for your area. If anyone knows of any other events please let me know so I can post them on here to help 'get the word out'
This is an excellent page with very interesting and informative blogs, worth checking out! Thanks Stan for the incredible job you're doing!Another site you may want to check out...
http://multiplesclerosissucks.com/empathy.htmlI also want to acknowledge Marlene Balbach's website, http://www.ptthinker.com/index.phpI want to close out this section by saying to everyone helping to 'get the word out' about just how serious this is as well as the dedicated scientists/researchers who are working to find treatments as well as a cure, AND ESPECAILLY family, friends and caregivers who on a daily basis help to make it possible for those who do deal and struggle with this every day to continue to 'function' with as much dignity as possible....
