As you know, I try to strike a balance here. I don’t sugarcoat my condition, but neither do I wallow in self-pity. As such, it seems appropriate to render an honest assessment of what I’ve gained and lost in the past year, and what changes may await me in the next couple of years. Note… Continue reading Losses and Gains 2011
MITCH STURGEON
Author and Blogger
Living With MS
Category: Uncategorized
Happy Holidays 2011
(Photo credit: paparutzi) This little blog brings me great joy. I’ve been able to connect with so many wonderful people who I otherwise would never have come to know. The notion that my writing has helped a few folks in any way is the icing on the cake. So, thank you so much for stopping… Continue reading Happy Holidays 2011
My Arms are Growing Shorter
Of course my arms are not really growing shorter, but they might as well be. My MS progression has not been random, but has instead followed clear patterns. For example, the flexion muscles in my legs (those that allow me to bend my legs at the knee) grew weak before the extension muscles (those that… Continue reading My Arms are Growing Shorter
Adventures in Public Transportation #1
Not so long ago, even during my first year as a wheelchair user, I was a proficient traveler. I could get from one part of the country to any other part of the country, quickly, comfortably, and economically. An ice storm has shut down O’Hare? No problem. I’ll reroute through Atlanta. In fact, I accumulated… Continue reading Adventures in Public Transportation #1
Home Improvements – Installment #2
As I mentioned in Home Improvements – Installment #1 and in my posts about moving, here and here, not long ago we relocated from the picturesque but boring suburbs into the urban and walkable (and therefore wheelchair-able) city. The house we found was one story and fairly accessible, with wide doorways and an open layout.… Continue reading Home Improvements – Installment #2
Save the iBot Update
As you may already know, the iBot, this life-changing mobility device, is no longer being manufactured. Why? It’s because of a complex set of circumstances generally having to do with too much government red tape and a pervasive attitude that disabled people do not deserve to live highly engaged lives – getting us from bedroom… Continue reading Save the iBot Update
Bonus Time
My friend Keith ruptured his aorta a few years ago. The bleeding was slow enough and the medical attention he received was timely enough that he survived, despite the odds. If not for outstanding doctors, strength of will (his and his wife’s), and good fortune, we would’ve said goodbye to Keith years ago. My mother-in-law… Continue reading Bonus Time
I Surrender
(Photo credit: Wikipedia) “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” – Douglas Adams I’ve reached (achieved?) several major milestones in my disease progression, such as: diagnosis informing my loved ones starting and stopping various treatments using a mobility aid (cane)… Continue reading I Surrender
My Disability Status
(Photo credit: Wikipedia) In the United States there is a progression of steps that one must go through to fully transition from a healthy worker to a disabled non-worker with benefits. In my case I was fortunate enough to have private disability insurance through my employer in addition to government disability insurance (Social Security). In… Continue reading My Disability Status
My Withering Left Hand
When I started down this path 11 years ago, I knew nothing about MS. I didn’t know anyone who had it. I didn’t know how it could affect a person. Now, unfortunately, I’m a bit of an expert. MS manifests itself differently in each person, but for me it has been a left-to-right and a… Continue reading My Withering Left Hand