However, the reality of giving up my driver’s license meant I had to rely on other people for everything-- going to the grocery store, carpooling, shopping, haircuts, doctors’ appointments, and errands of all sorts. That's a lot of trips! 

After 27 years, I've gotten used to not being able to drive. 

Thank you to all the folks who contributed to the MS Walk this year.  I am always thrilled when I can contribute to the fundraising efforts of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the largest funder of MS research in the world.  This year our team, “Kids for a Cure,” raised $3,527.

It was quite a day… Our daughter, Jamie and her family were here and we were all pumped up for the Walk.  We dressed, packed up the treats, loaded the car, and were doing final bathroom visits, when

Having trouble moving as fast as you used to, giving up a favorite activity like doing needle work or using a handicapped parking placard when you shop are not particularly funny. However, putting a humorous spin on everyday observations and situations diffuses the tension and puts your problems in perspective.

I definitely don't like it when I have to be carried into or out of an inaccessible location. However, ...

When was the last time you got "carded?"

Last week, Dave and I went to see a movie.  He dropped me off at the door so I could purchase the tickets. When I asked the ticket taker how much that would be, he said $9 per ticket. Then, I asked if there was a discount for seniors. He replied that there was for people over 65. I told him my husband and I were over 65...

  (R to L) My mom, daughter, Jamie, & Mom's sister, Aunt Shirley.  (Me, front and center)

Today is Mother’s Day and I’m deeply grateful that I can celebrate the day with my 89 year-old mother. She’s quite a beautiful, gracious, delightful lady, and is still very much the highly respected matriarch of our family.  Even though Dad passed away 22 years ago, Mom continues to teach our family what's really important through her example.

Anyone who is a mother knows what a difficult mine field it is when you’re raising children. We do it without a road map or directions, and many times we do it carrying the scars from our own less-than-perfect childhoods. On this Mother's Day, I’d like to share with you some of the best lessons I learned from my parents...especially my mother -- about being a mom...

Recently I received call from a woman who had MS; her son was in his 20’s and was being verbally abusive to her. His anger over her MS and how it was affecting “his life” was escalating and she was worried about her safety; she finally had to resort to having a restraining order taken out against him. She needed to talk to someone (me in this case) about her situation.

It wasn’t the first time I’ve received a call, letter, or email with a story like this.

CRAIG SCHREINER — Photographer State Journal

As Baby Boomers age, some home buyers and builders are starting to pay more attention to the principles of universal design — housing accessible to all including those with disabilities...is the opening paragraph of an article written by Chris Martell of the Wisconsin State Journal.  I am quoted in the article and that's me at my desk.  Click here to read the rest of the article.

   Christopher Tin, Composer

Every now and then a beautiful piece of music touches my heart and I have to listen to it over and over again.  Beautiful music has the power to transport me away from the everyday realities of living with my  chronic illness, multiple sclerosis. Today, while I was "horizontal," (i.e. in bed and off my bottom), I busied myself on the computer and stumbled on the Baba Yetu music video...

Here I am with my mom, my Aunt Shirley, and my cousin "S" having lunch at a fancy restaurant, the Lake Park Bistro, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  We're all dressed up and I'm feeling joyful because we're all together.  (My cousin battles health conditions that make MS look like nothing at all.)

So when the food was delivered, "S" and I looked at each other and start laughing.  We ...

Chronic illness seems to always translate into lots of medical appointments.  To me, one of the most frustrating problems I've faced has been with scheduling appointments and coordinating transportation. 

Taking "para-transit"/accessible community transportation to medical & dental appointments requires extra planning that begins when I make my appointment.  I explain to the person doing the scheduling that... 

Before I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I didn't know what to say or what to do when I learned a friend, neighbor, or colleague was diagnosed with a serious chronic illness or life-threatening disease.  I wanted to reach out and to be supportive, but I didn’t know how and, I certainly didn't want to be intrusive or appear "nosy." 


That was 30+ yeas ago.  My own journey living with MS has taught me many lessons, especially about staying connected with those around you who may be going through difficult times. Whether I discovered these ideas on my own or learned them from others, here are my best ideas for "what to say and what to do."...

Who knew Facebook could unite two old friends in the midst of New York City?  I guess that's what social media is all about - connecting people!!!  Duh, Shelley!!!  Let me tell you how it happened...

Last month, I was in New York to receive the New York City/Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society's MS Awareness Award for my new book, Home Accessibility: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier.

The morning after the Awards, I attended an event, a Flash Freeze, in Union Square Park to draw attention to and publicize National MS Awareness week.  After the event,  I visited the New York City/Southern New York Chapter, which shares space with the National office of the National MS Society, (NMSS.) 

As I tootled down one of the hallways, I saw that the door was open to Cyndi Zagieboylo's office.  She is the new President and CEO of the NMSS.  Not wanting to disturb her on this busy...

I've been hooked on Sudoku ever since I had a few minutes of quiet time at my daughter Jamie's house and I found a little booklet of the puzzles. Jamie encouraged me to try them and I was hooked IMMEDIATELY...

I remember years ago when our children were learning to use the potty. Every time we walked into a store, they would ask, "Do they got a potty here?"  And, off we would go to find it.

I find myself asking the same question; not because I have to use the facilities, but because I want to eye-ball the bathroom configuration.  I want to know that if I needed it, I could use it.

This is new for me because ...

Today, I received a beautiful email from a “very busy woman” who, just that day, had been diagnosed with MS.  She wrote that as she left the neurologist’s office, she saw a copy of my book, Multiple Sclerosis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier.  After paging through the book, she asked the receptionist if she could purchase a copy. The receptionist told her she could borrow it and return it on a subsequent visit.

When she got home and looked through the book a bit more carefully she decided to write to me to thank me.

Yesterday I had a doctor’s appointment and that meant that I had to find a way to get there.  (I haven’t driven a car since September 11, 1985  – a date I’ll never forget.  I was 39 years old.)  I always feel like I’m imposing on people when I call and ask them for a ride. I could use public transportation but...

What a ridiculous day this is!  

Here I am in bed again because that tender area on my bottom is telling me, "ENOUGH! Get off your butt!" (This past week I've spent a few too many hours sitting up and now I must give myself "time off.")  I'm proud of myself for listening to what my body is telling me.

Unfortunately, I'm also listening to the roofers put a new roof on our house. The incessant pounding has been going on since 8:30 this morning...

When was the last time you got "carded?"

Last week Dave and I went to see a movie at the theater. He dropped me off at the door so I could get in line to purchase the tickets. When I asked the ticket taker how much that would be, he said $9 per ticket. Then, I asked if there was a discount for seniors. He replied that there was for "people over 65." I told him my husband and I were over 65 and  He could't believe it, so i offered to show him my picture ID.  To the teenage ticket take, l didn't look my age. I was thrilled!

Then, last night we went to see another film, "The Artist." This time when i asked for two tickets, the ticket taker looked at me and said, "Two seniors?" What a bummer! The high I experienced last week from last week's ticket seller sent me crashing back to reality.

Our family has never had a pet. However, that changed several years ago when our son, Andrew, returned from the Peace Corps and brought home “his dog,” Chueco was a mutt Andrew adopted shortly after he arrived in the Dominican Republic. Chueco was sick and undernourished and would not have survived another month on the streets of Santo Domingo if Andrew hadn’t adopted him.

As our son began the gargantuan two-year task of building an aqueduct to bring clean water to a poverty stricken village of 500, twenty miles from the Haitian border, Chueco was his companion and lifeline. Because of Chueco, Andrew was able to withstand the loneliness...

Nothing definite on the electric wheelchair yet, but I believe one is in my future. There are more options for improved seating and trunk support with an electric wheelchair than there are with my wonderful little Amigo, a three-wheeled scooter.

At first, I was more than a little bummed out about having to use an electric wheelchair NOW, especially after I've gained so much strength and independence...

I just returned from New York City where I received the MS Awareness Award at the Books for a Better Life Awards for my new book, Home Accessibility: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier. The event was a fundraiser for the New York City & Southern New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  

My wonderful husband of 42 years, "Saint" David, was unable to get away from work to go with me. So,...

I'm off to a National MS Society event and decided to take the bus to get to Union Square Park.Using accessible public transportation is easier for me; I don't have to transfer (i.e. have someone lift me), out of my Amigo scooter and into a car or cab.  Take a look.

Thirty years ago, a psychic told me I was going to be a writer - even though I had never "written anything." Since then, I have enjoyed consulting a "psychic advisor" from time to time.  So when... 

People always ask me how I am able to fly on an airplane because I am unable to walk and use a wheelchair, (a three-wheeled Amigo TravelMate.)  I decided to do a short video showing how I board a an airplane using an aisle chair or "straight back." Follow me down the jetway, see how airline personnel lift and transfer me to the aisle chair and...