I have decided to give medical marijuana a go. Why the hell not? Even if it doesn’t help, I’m confident that experimenting with it won’t hurt, and either way I will be a more worldly person for having tried. Maine is one of twenty-three states (and the District of Columbia) which allow the use of… Continue reading Medical Marijuana
MITCH STURGEON
Author and Blogger
Living With MS
Category: Uncategorized
Book review: Chef Interrupted by Trevis Gleason
I had previously known Trevis Gleason only as the popular blogger at Life With Multiple Sclerosis. Within the constraints of this platform, he dispenses his wisdom, humor, and charm in 500 word snippets. But in Chef Interrupted Trevis throws off the shackles of forced brevity and reveals his considerable storytelling acumen. When Trevis sent me,… Continue reading Book review: Chef Interrupted by Trevis Gleason
Does Personality Change Because of Disability?
I’m not the same person I used to be. At least I don’t think I am. For example, before I was diagnosed with MS and for a short time afterward, I didn’t have a lot of empathy for disadvantaged people. I assumed that most of these folks deserved their lot in life, and only a… Continue reading Does Personality Change Because of Disability?
Four Short Takes
Introducing…iConquerMS™. This is a new and different kind of research initiative for MS, launched by the Accelerated Cure Project in Boston, MA. It’s dedicated to patient-driven research, based on the novel use of huge amounts of data from all of us living with MS. The initiative’s Internet portal, www.iConquerMS.org, is now live. I already visited… Continue reading Four Short Takes
The Social Psychology Implications of iBot Stair Climbing
Yeah, you read that right. This subject is better suited for a PhD dissertation, but instead I’ll tackle it in a single blog post. On Saturday night Kim and I went out to dinner with our friends Deb and Steve at the Snow Squall, a local bar and restaurant that we absolutely love. I made… Continue reading The Social Psychology Implications of iBot Stair Climbing
My Wheelchair Van Adventure
Sometimes things go smoothly with auto repairs. Other times, things just get weird. In Maine, automobiles must pass an annual safety inspection. Our two-year-old wheelchair accessible van was months overdue, placing us at risk of being issued a ticket. On Saturday of last week, we finally scheduled an inspection. The van failed due to excessive… Continue reading My Wheelchair Van Adventure
Wheelchair Accessible Path Installed around Cobblestone Street in My Neighborhood
As I mentioned in my September post entitled Our Love Affair with Cobblestone Streets and Brick Sidewalks, for years there has been a cobblestone street impeding wheelchair access to the Casco Bay Bridge, which connects Portland and South Portland. I took up the cause in May 2013 with this video posted at mycounterpane.com: I spoke… Continue reading Wheelchair Accessible Path Installed around Cobblestone Street in My Neighborhood
My MS Symptom of the Week – Spasticity
“I can feel it building…oh yes…please don’t stop…this is going to be so good…here it comes…hold on baby…OH MY GOD,” I thought to myself. Then I let it fly, “Achoo!!!” “Gesundheit,” said Kim. “Thank you,” I replied. What? I can’t believe you thought I was going there. Everyone is familiar with that feeling leading up… Continue reading My MS Symptom of the Week – Spasticity
Political Advertising – Make It Stop!
I know this blog is supposed to be about leading a contented life as a disabled person. But there is something else I’d like to write about today, if you will indulge me. Here in the United States we have a big election next week. It’s what we call a midterm election, so we’re not… Continue reading Political Advertising – Make It Stop!
The Top Ten Reasons I Want to End MS
When I checked my email this morning I saw a note from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They asked the question, “Why do you want to end MS?” Their goal is to have 20,000 people answer by October 31. Here is the link. This is the kind of rah rah mentality that usually turns me… Continue reading The Top Ten Reasons I Want to End MS