Category: Uncategorized

As of this writing, the coronavirus pandemic has never been worse. Records for infections are being shattered. Hospitals are overrun. Death counts are soaring. Yet, the situation is not hopeless. Dr. Fauci said it best: “Help is on the way.” Good news at last Because of multiple, efficacious vaccines, we now have some idea how and… Continue reading COVID–19: In These Dark Days, a Glimmer of Light

Down East Magazine is considered the gold standard for showcasing our beautiful state of Maine, hands down. So, when they published an essay of mine a few years ago, it was one of the highlights of my life, and it provided a boost of confidence for my burgeoning writing career.  I was thrilled to learn… Continue reading Down East Magazine Reprints My Story

I live in the great state of Maine. What’s so great about it? Let’s start with lobsters, blueberries, and potatoes, sometimes all in one sitting. Maine is home to Stephen King, the most trees per square mile of any state (suck it, New Hampshire), and did I mention lobsters, and snow? Don’t forget the snow.…… Continue reading In Search of the Ideal MS Climate

Dan and Jennifer Digmann are America’s MS couple — they both have this wonderful disease. In fact, they met at a MS conference in 2002 and married in 2005. Since then, they have dedicated their lives to MS activism and helping others live their best life. I just love the title of their blog: A… Continue reading A High-Profile Review of My Book ENJOYING THE RIDE: Two Generations of Tragedy and Triumph

I learned only recently that the state of Maine implemented a new online voting system for persons with disabilities. How awesome is that? I can’t hold a marker, so I’ve been having Kim help me with my ballots for the past few years. We have no secrets, so that’s not the issue. It just feels… Continue reading I Voted—Using My Voice

If not for the support of my amazing wife, Kim, I could find myself in a nursing home well before my time. Others are not so lucky. I’ve become passionate about this cause. I’m part of an organization, 3i Housing of Maine, that is working to provide accessible housing for younger persons with physical disabilities.… Continue reading Accessible Housing

I recently acquired one of the new generation iBOT wheelchairs. My feelings are best expressed in the thank you note I sent to Mobius Mobility, the folks who manufacture and sell the iBOT. Twelve years ago, before many of you even heard of such a device, I took delivery of my iBOT 4000. It was… Continue reading The New iBOT is Here

People who lose limbs get prosthetics. I’ve seen some awesome robotic prosthetic arms like DEKA Research’s Luke Arm. I may as well not even have a left arm, but there it sits taking up space. Because neither I nor my doctors have the stomach for surgically removing my arm, I can’t have a prosthetic attached.… Continue reading Kinova’s Jaco Robotic Arm

Sometimes, I feel the itch to do things I used to do before MS, like travel, hike, golf, and stand up to pee. Recently, I’ve felt the itch to socialize with people, like I did before the pandemic. I miss fine dining, casual dining, grabbing a drink downtown, and asking outrageous and inappropriate questions of… Continue reading I Am Feeling the Itch

Readers of this blog know that I employ technology as a means of navigating my way through life with advanced MS. So, when Novartis asked me to help them determine a winner for their Innovation in MS contest, I jumped at the chance. I reviewed 50 applications, and I was absolutely blown away. Somehow, we… Continue reading The Novartis Innovation Prize: Assistive Tech for Multiple Sclerosis