[kentucky_wildchild]

WHO ARE WE???

We are your parents, your children, your brothers and sisters; we are the person down the street; we are that lady or fellow who may walk a little 'funny' at the grocery store. We are the people that you "tsk, tsk" over because we might look "too good" to use a handicapped parking space. We are the folks who may not be able to get out to the Church or Temple every weekend; we are your peers; we are human beings.

We are the face of Multiple Sclerosis. A face that is nearly every ethnicity; that comes from nearly every country, that does not discriminate by social standing or class or financial or educational background or language or religion. We are both able to walk unassisted and use canes and walkers and wheelchair users; we jog and swim and partake in sports; we are housebound, we use scooters; we need respirators. We are everything in between. We are visually impaired and we are not. We are at every level of physical ability.

Of course, we "look so good" while we're doing it. We hear that phrase every day of our lives. Sometimes that phrase is meant as a compliment and sometimes it is meant to hurt or meant to shame us into doing something of which we may not be currently capable. We may be able to do that something tomorrow, though, or next week; Multiple Sclerosis is like that. We are like that.

Some of us are hearing impaired; yet all of us occasionally have people talk louder to us. "HOW ARE YOU D-O-I-N-G????" they'll scream, speaking to us as though we were either hearing or intellectually impaired. "YOU LOOK SO G-O-O-D!!!!"

Of course we do. Thank you very much. We are, in fact, the very best looking people in the handicapped community. We have secret beauty pageants every year, to decide which of our number is the absolute best-looking. Billy Crystal emcees, as his character Fernando; "..and you look MAHVELOUS my dear; absolutely M-A-H-V-E-L-O-U-S..."

We are brave. We are fragile. We want to live, and we want to end it all. We look for support and we want to stand alone. We are Everyperson. We are the People with Multiple Sclerosis. We are People, Just Like You....

[kicker]

I'm having a good hair day. I do look MAH-VE-LOUS but want a nap.

[pud's friend]

When's the next pageant? If i start scrubbing the horse poop from under my nails now, i might just make it in time. *goes to look for that brush*
I'm perfectly f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s- don't you know.

[kentucky_wildchild]

Here's to life!
By Lisa
My vision's gone funny, my feet've gone numb;
So why should I sigh 'bout the size of my bum?

The bra straps are pinching, the waistbands are straining;
Hey, pour me a Smirnoff and I ain't complaining!

There's chips, mushy peas and there's fish in crisp batter;
So what do an extra two chins or three matter?

My legs get so tired and my back aches like hell;
So fry up the bangers and bacon as well!

Roll out the steaks and the chops and the spuds;
Fanfare the biscuits, the cakes and the puds!

Yah to the fruit and boo to the veg;
Cut me some Brie - a nice, big, fat wedge!

Melt it on toast, a-smothered in butter;
"Oooh, you great heiffer!", I hear you all mutter!

There's vodka and lager, there's rum and there's coke;
And after a skinful there's always a smoke!

Pass me my glass and my plate and my fork;
And I can forget I have trouble to walk!

Bring on the champagne, we'll have nothing less;
Cheers! Here's to life and to hell with MS!

[Freesia38]

Classic! I love it!
Thanks KW

[kentucky_wildchild]

Your welcome. I am always reading things like that because it lets me know that people can make the most of life when liveing with MS. It gives me hope.

[Judy2]

So true, we're all connected but yet all so different. Thanks KW!! Now -- who's got the chocolate?????

[kicker]

Kentucky Wildchild,
You are a great poet,
Don't you just know it!!!!
Your poetry sings in my head.
Yes, I WOULD like another bagel and cream cheese.