How we roll

I don’t think we want to have MS today. We’re too busy.

Oh sure, my hands burn with numbness, and I’m sure Jennifer has her own issues. Going to bed at 11 p.m. and getting up at 3:30 in the morning will have a negative impact on even the healthiest of people.

Roll on!

But don’t tell us that we both have Multiple Sclerosis and should take it easy; that our bodies need a lot of rest.

I’m incredibly busy at work coordinating communication plans for some big projects, such as Retired Army General Colin Powell speaking on Central Michigan University’s campus Jan. 24, and writing magazine feature stories on CMU alumni Cari Cucksey (star of HGTV’s Cash & Cari) and Andrew Dost (keyboardist for the indie rock super group fun., which is nominated for six Grammy Awards).

And Jennifer’s busting it up with the last semester of classes for her graduate program. It’s a 600-level history class that, as I understand it with what she’s telling me, essentially is the history of history. It’s starting way back before the ancient Romans and I heard her say something about having to read a book about Joan of Arc. Her class consists of a three-hour class once each week, with major readings and review papers written between each weekly session. She’ll graduate this May.

But don’t tell us that we both have Multiple Sclerosis and should take it easy. We’re too busy.

Granted, as soon as she’s out of class tonight we’re going home and heading straight to bed. We, like the most experienced alcohol drinkers, know our limits. Let’s face it: Jennifer and I have had this disease for a while. 15 and 13 years, respectively. Long enough to know what we can get away with without doing any more damage than what the disease already has done.

Jennifer often comments, with a Cheshire smirk on her face as she nods down to her power wheelchair, “This is how we roll.”

Indeed.

May we, and the other 2.1 million people worldwide living with this stupid disease, continue to roll on to the best of our abilities.

4 Responses to How we roll

  1. How we roll? With as much as you do and as active as you both are, I would say that you are “on a roll”. Please never stop. You are our role models and our inspiration.

    Like a good deodorant, I would say “roll on”.

    Michael

  2. This is the first time I’ve been to your website, and I want to tell you how great it is! I’ve only read a couple of things, but I’m already feeling better about this “uninvited guest that refuses to leave”. Although I now live in Texas (since 1982), I’m was born and raised in Michigan, and that will always be my home. I was diagnosed in 1991 with relapsing-remitting MS, but am now secondary progressive. Thanks for shedding some humor and positive light on
    this disease!

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