I need some quick advice...
 

I'm meeting my son's girlfriend's dimwitted (according to my son, LOL) mom for the first time at 6 pm today. I need a really quick and condensed way to explain MS to someone who is clueless and is also hospital and illness phobic :). Aren't a one lucky woman today, ARGH!! Help!!

Is it something you have to tell her upon your first meeting?

I would say if it comes up, "Yes, I have ms, but you will NOT catch it." Say that fast/first so she doesn't freak out on ya.

;)

If she has questions, explain as needed. But I find most people like her are more concerned about themselves, how your problem pertains to them.

:rolleyes:

Yes, I walk with a cane. She know's that I have MS but doesn't know what it is.

IMHO I really don't think you have to explain anything unless she brings it up. Yes you have a disease but it doesn't define who you are.

If she asks I would explain but if not, enjoy your first meeting. You'll do just fine.:)

My son has already warned me that she is going to ask me about it :cool:. I find myself tongue-tied when I try to explain MS. I just need a two sentence kind of explanation for her. I definitely don't want it to be the topic of conversation for the evening :)!

Some of the covers on my wires are missing so when I flip the switch the light doesn't come on. :p

Short and sweet.

If she asks more questions, change the subject to how LOVELY her daughter is...:)

just sneeze on her.

:p

you could just stare straight ahead, shake you head yes or no and just smile:cool:

I'm just pullin your leg Joelle.

When I met my son's girlfriend's mom she asked me why I limped. I just told her I have MS. It's a disease that affects my nervous system and it really sucks. Her answer.... Wow I bet. On to a new topic:)

Since she is such a phobic I would start off by telling her that it is not contagious and she can't catch it from you or anyone else. That may be all that needs to be said. Brain was right on about people such as her. Although, some people like her will freak out and start thinking they have it. Sad but it does happen.

You can always explain that your nervous system is not communicating properly and your wires get short circuited.

Let us know how it goes.

:ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO:

:picknose:


sorry.

<standing self in naughty corner>

How old is this woman.....seven??? :mad: Poke her with the tip of a pencil and tell her that's her cootie shot. Now she's safe!! :rolleyes:

I'd give her the website address of the NMSS and (if she can read) tell her to look it up and educate herself on it!!

People like her just irritate the daylights out of me (can you tell?? :o ).

You don't owe anyone an explanation, Joelle. I know you're doing it for you son and I totally understand that....but people also have a responsibility to educate themselves on things that are unfamiliar to them.

If she knows you have MS and knows that she is going to meet you then, IMHO, she should at least do some research on the condition so she doesn't come across as a total moron. I would if I was meeting someone with a condition I wasn't familiar with and knew about the meeting ahead of time.

try giving her the benifit of the doubt.

most of the population has heard of montel.

beth's answer is short and sweet. if she has more questions, she will ask.

didn't mean to be such a smart mouth :o, but in this day and age..sheesh..you'd hope she has atleast heard of ms and KNOW it isn't catchy.


:hug: i feel for ya. i gave up a long time ago trying to explain what's wrong with my back. :o

I'm sitting at Starbuck's and she's 25 minutes late!! I was gonna refrain from smoking....not now :D! My son called, she had to 'do her hair'. That's why she's late. This ought to be very entertaining :D.

i bet she doesn't know how to tell time. her watch is probably one with arms not digital. :wink:

if she takes her shoes off to count out her money for her coffee...your son needs to dump his girlfriend. might be hereditary. :p

make sure you snek a picture with your phone. :D i HAVE to see this hairdo. :p

Hope I didn't come across as a smartbutt, either....:o

I just don't think you should have to worry about what this woman might think.

I'll call you tomorrow and we can laugh about it!! :D

Well, now you simply must tell her that coffee makes you have wild, loud & embarrassing seizures and that you've had two cups while waiting!

OR.......you could have some fun with her and act like a total spaz and scare her to death!!! http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...ted_1/spaz.gif

I would pay to see you do that!!! :p :D

i think no holding back now.

smart mouth's and butt's UNITE!

:p

It's fair game now that she's late because she had to do her hair. If you had a set time to meet, her hair should have been done and her butt in a chair by you.

Totally start slurring your words, blurt out random thoughts, keep repeating yourself over and over as if you forgot the conversation, jerky around to mimic spasticity, etc. Bring it on girl.

Do you have a web cam on your computer? You can dial me up so I can be the fly on the wall. LOL

Ms may not be contagious but apparently being a smartbutt is.

:D

well, it's too late for my advice.
i can't wait to hear about this meeting :D

I wonder whats goin on???? Anyone know???? Do ya think she showed???

hmmm:Ponder:: Do ya think they are getting along???::Dunno:

hope all is well:D

Bet they're roller blading in the park! :D

OK....it's after 9 PM so it's either going very well or we need to go bail Joelle out of jail!! :p

or maybe Joelle has had enough and she's chasing her around the parking lot with her cane held high:cool:

I'm on it Kelly! *searching pay phones for loose change*

I'm back and in one piece :D! The only question this woman asked about MS was 'Is it hereditary??'!!! All I could think was holy carp this person is mapping out her 15, yes, 15 year old daughter's life with my 17 year old son!!! She talked NONSTOP for 3 maddening hours about herself! I didn't even need to speak :). I just nodded a lot and excused myself to the restroom every 15 minutes. I told her that 'why yes, MS could be hereditary' LOL!! I really wish my son would get over this girl and fast. Maybe the hereditary thing will help, ya think???? :D Thanks for being so funny and wicked everybody, hugs to you all :D. Oh, her hair got trashed because there was a thunderstorm as she was leaving the house, ROTFLMAO!!!

tell her its an illness that when asked too many questions you start swinging the cane lol,

sorry its late and i am over tired, just say its a nerve affecting illness and onto next subject like beth said

Well, she sounds pretty self absorbed. She probably won't remember anything you told her about yourself or MS.

So......what's the dirt?? Is she crazy? Did she have nice shoes? Did you comment on her hair?? :D :p

yeah what kitty said and did u sneeze on her, thats was a great answer lol

Just look her straight in the eye, move a little close as if to tell a secret. Then casually say "That dang Jack D has really did a number on me huh?"


PS: Darnit I missed it! But laughed at your description. lol

Oh, btw, she showed up while I was finishing my post about her being late :D!! I'll tell ya more about it later or tomorrow. I'm suffering through what I think is a Tysabri hangover today. :( The same thing happened to me after my last 2 infusions. At least it only lasts for one day :). I gotta go lay down because I'm too tired and sore to even chew food :D.

take it easy joelle rest well and relax, you have been through a lot lately kick back zone out at the tv or a good book:hug::hug::hug:




peace