Living with Multiple Sclerosis, better known simply as "MS", has changed not only my life, but that of my wife, our family, friends, events that we attend, places to visit, and our day-to-day living in general. I have gotten to the point of using a wheel-chair, when we are away from home, while using a walker at home where I can use the furniture and cabinets to help with my balance while moving about our home. We are fortunate to live in a single story dwelling, and do not have to contend with having stairways to access living areas within our home.

A little bit of history. I was first diagnosed with MS in 1995, when I suddenly lost some control of my arms and legs. At first I thought it was due to age and weather changes, working as a Plumber in construction has a way of causing a person to put the blame on those 2 possible things. But my wife called our family Physician who recommended visiting the Hospital immediately, as it could be serious. After work that day, we went to the Hospital, where I was to spend the next 24 Hours, and experienced countless tests, before it was determined that I had MS. The other possible causes could have included a Stroke, Heart attack, and possibly some other reasons, if I remember correctly, so having MS is serious enough but probably not as life ending as some of those other things. Believe me, we have had to make changes, but keeping in mind that it could be much worse, and trying not to dwell on what could have been, we are doing better than most people with disabilities. Keep in mind that things can change in a moment, there are no written guarantees, but things such as family, friends, hobbies, humor can make a big difference.

In early 2002, I was still working, and taking life a little easier. My family Physician arranged a visit for me with a Neurologist, and she studied my health records, my tests and diagnosis from 1995. After a visit with her, at her office, she determined that the MS was progressing to the point of my not being able to continue working, and she recommended that I start on "Rebif", a new medicine at that time, for the treatment of MS. There are several medicines available, although none are for the cure of MS, only to slow down progression of the MS. After using the "Rebif" since that time, MRI's have shown that Lesions within my body are basically the same, so that is good.

Since 2002 I have retired, and now I can take it easy. Having a great wife, very good family and friends, a good hobby, have really helped. It does get boring, but having MS is not the end of the world. I spend time on the deck when weather permits, watch TV (especially those home improvement shows, where I sometimes talk to the TV saying things such as "YOU CAN'T DO THAT"), and know that life has changed, never to be the same. But don't feel sorry for me, I realize that it could be worse.

Anyway, since 2002, I have gone through the stages of using a cane, falling while moving about (which I still do every once in a while, but lucky so far not to have broken any bones), to the point of using a walker in the home, and using a wheel-chair at other times. The wheel-chair makes a big difference when we are away from home, and we are shopping or at someplace where other people could be hurt especially if I were to fall on someone. But the time is approaching where I will need the wheel-chair all the time. I'm fighting that time, but I can see it coming.

It's now June, 2008. Next month I have an appointment with my Neurologist. I will let her know that the time for using a wheel-chair all the time is quickly approaching, my balance is leaving me, I have quit driving a motor vehicle, and she will tell me it is time for an MRI to see how things are going. That is about the best way to determine how the MS is progressing. Balance and stamina are the biggest changes so far. I just have to realize that I get weaker doing things a lot easier and much quicker than before. But being a typical man, I hate to ask for help.

These are pictures of some of the devices I use, starting with canes I used. Although I have to use either a walker or wheel-chair now, because of a balance problem, I still keep the canes.

I purchased the wooden cane, in 2002 when my wife and I were traveling, as I thought it would be better going through security checks at airports. I never had much luck with the canes with 4 feet, as I was having some balance problems and tripping over them. They were easy to stand next to a chair, I found out.

Now I use a walker whenever I can.

The walker is very good for balance, and can be adjusted for height. I have 3 walkers. I keep one in our home, one outside on our deck, and one in the storage shed for spare parts if needed. By having several, the possibility of bringing dirt into the home on the bottom of the walker is reduced. The walkers were given to me by friends. One problem I had with using a walker was in carrying small things, especially something to drink, notably coffee. The first picture is of the top braces of the walker. The second picture is of one of my coffee cups, or rather a travel mug. It has a handle, that is able to be hooked over one of the braces. Some of the travel mugs have handles that are not open and are good for carrying, but not able to be hooked over a brace like this. The third picture is of a wire basket that has a clear plastic holder in the bottom of it. This is sold in some stores and good for shopping or just making it easier to move small things easier.

When I decided to purchase a wheel-chair in 2005, I did a lot of research on the internet. At the time, I was not able to get any help from Social Security in purchasing a wheel-chair. So after much browsing on the internet, I decided on the chair, pictured here. The price was affordable, and the features made it an easy decision.

As the pictures show, it can be folded and stowed, especially in the trunk of a car, by removing the 2 main wheels, and the 2 foot-rests. The wheels have quick-disconnect buttons, and it takes about 3 minutes to fold the chair, remove the main tires, foot-rests, and stow in the trunk. The chair can be stowed with the wheels and foot-rests on if the area where it will be stowed is large enough, but most car trunks are not that roomy.

The following picture is of a device I have. I have a problem lifting my Left Foot, especially when entering a vehicle, when it is cold or raining. My Brother-In-Law found a device made for pets, at a store one day. I believe it was made to control a dog by putting the rope on the dog, then sliding the ball to make it tighter on the dog. After looking at it, the idea of lifting my foot with it, after first sitting in the vehicle with the door still open and my Left Foot resting on the ground, the idea of using it made perfect sense. I used some rope I had, to make it longer, and the ball it came with, and after tying the ends together 2 places before the ball where I pull on the device raising my Foot, it makes it very easy to raise my Foot and get it in the vehicle. Also, it is easy to make, and much cheaper than commercial devices sold forthe same purpose.

The following picture is of 2 shoe-horns I have, to assist in getting my feet in shoes when I have trouble with the shoes. One is made of clear plastic, that is curved to allow it to fit the curvature of the rear part of the shoe and the back heal of the foot. They are also made longer than normal shoe-horns sold in shoe stores.

The following pictures are of 2 devices I have that are used to pick up items, as well as putting items either into or getting out of cabinets. They come in very handy with can goods in the kitchen. However the one with rubber cups works best on items that are smaller and weigh less.

These are things I use to make living with MS easier. When other items are available I will put them on here. Living with a dis-ability is not the end of the world.