March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month ~ by Grace Augustine

March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month. For the

photo courtesy of the NMSS

past few years on social media I have been posting articles and information relating to this ever increasing autoimmune disease. March 8-14 is National MS Awareness Week.

MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. People ask all the time if I’m contagious, how I was stricken with it, and if they are susceptible. The answers: no, it is not a disease spread person to person, I have no idea how I contracted it, and anyone at any time can have MS symptoms.

It is a pro at destroying lives by destroying the host who has the disease. By this I mean it is an individual thing…no two people have the exact same symptoms. It isn’t viral or bacterial. It is our OWN cells attacking our bodies.

In short, we have T-cells and B-cells, both lymphocyte immune

photo courtesy of Teachmephysiology

cells, part of our white blood cells, that originate in our bone marrow. T-cells are responsible for protecting our bodies against any pathogen, including cancer. B-cells are responsible for producing antibodies.

In a person with MS, our bodies produce B and T cells that turn rogue. When this happens, the myelin coating of our nerves are eaten away…the once good fighter cells now become destructive…hence how MS gets its name—MULTIPLE SCARRING. The brain matter and spinal cord are prime places for these rogue cells to feast and break the connection from the command center (our brain) to the nerves throughout our bodies.

Personally, I have lesions at C6 and L6 and multiple white and gray matter lesions in my brain. Location of the lesions are integral in what part of the body is affected by the MS.

MRI’s show the damage to spinal cords and white and gray brain matter, but sometimes they do not correlate to the symptoms of the patient. (Click HERE  to read further.)

Several years ago, I wrote a book SO, YOU HAVE MS. NOW

WHAT? because I was tired of misinformation being given to newly diagnosed patients. 

There is no cure for this autoimmune disorder, that is why it is important to donate to research that can find a cause and hopefully stamp out MS. You can also participate in many other events that are held around the US and globally—BIKE MS, WALK MS, LITTLE BLACK DRESS WINE TASTINGS.

I may not see the cure in my lifetime, but, while I can, I intend to be a motivator and advocate for those who are stricken with this disease. I am a 17 year warrior.

MS Research Needs Your Help ~ by Grace Augustine

   

 Every day one or more persons worldwide are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Currently there are more than one million people in the United States alone battling this autoimmune disease.
     March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you see a daily post--an MS Fact--that you may or may not know. Bringing awareness to the general public of this disease helps everyone understand what those who are stricken go through daily.
     Some of you may ask: How can I help? Here are several ways.
     1. AWARENESS—Learn as much as you can about what this disease is and how it affects those who have it.
     2. EDUCATE—Once you learn, educate others. To quote an old children’s television program (G.I. Joe) “Knowing is Half the Battle.” If you know something it seems less frightening.
     3. GET INVOLVED—There are several ways you can do that.
            a. Visit a local MS chapter meeting
            b. Attend a fundraiser
       

    c. Participate in WALK MS or BIKE MS to raise awareness
    d. Support your friends and family by checking in with them
    e. Put yourself out there as an advocate. Don’t be afraid to stand up or speak up for someone you love who has MS
            f. Attend The Little Black Dress event (sometimes it is a dinner and wine tasting)
            g. Ask if you can attend seminars with your friends/family to become better educated
            h.  Support your friends and family who participate in walks or other events to raise funding for research
             i. Remember the NMSS and State level research departments in your financial plan
     On May 4th, I will be participating in my 2nd WALK MS event here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I would love to have you walk with me if you are in the area. And if you can’t, I ask that you please consider helping me reach my goal this year by giving financially to support research.    
     Every penny counts. No amount is too small. Please, click  MY PAGE and join my team WALKING WITH GRACE. You may register as a walker by my side, or as a virtual walker, and the NMSS.org site is a safe site for donations.
     

Last year, my friends, family, and Rexco Equipment, who put change jars at each of their locations, helped me exceed my my goal by raising over $1000. I walked the first two blocks before I had to sit in the wheelchair and be pushed to within the last two blocks. I walked across the finish line. It was a personal victory and one I hope to do again this year.
     Thanking you in advance for your love, encouragement and support the past sixteen years. Through research, let’s find how we can cure this autoimmune disease. By doing so, it may open the doors to finding cures for other diseases that fall into the autoimmune category. 
    With a grateful heart I always remain,

              Walking with Grace

To learn more about Multiple Sclerosis, please visit NMSS.org

Photos courtesy of NMSS.org