Marion County Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Group, Ocala, Florida

Feel free to contact anyone below at their email address about anything you'd like to discuss!  

If you would like to be a Mentor, Please click Below to go directly to Mentor Form.  We look forward to you becoming part of our Mentor Family.    **Please note we also now have a Spanish Speaking Mentor listed below and a Caregiver Mentor also listed below.

http://www.mcmsgroup.com/mailingmentorsignup.htm

I believe in enjoying life one day at a time.  Don't worry about the things you can't change or don't have control over!  Try to find the humor in everything you can.  Try to make someone smile every day!  My main problem is cognitive.  Sometimes I forget to put my clothes on.  My Neuro offered to go clothes shopping with me.  Haha.  Sometimes I find my purse in the microwave or the refrigerator (talk about cold cash).  I also have Glaucoma, so my days of taking steroids are over for me.  I appreciate life more now than I ever have, keep myself busy and laugh now more than I ever have!  I bowl as often as I can and have gotten many others in my group to join me.  Everyone bowls however they are able...Standing, using a scooter, wheelchair, walker or placing the ball on a ramp and pushing it off.  It doesn't matter how anyone does it, the important thing is to have fun and get some exercise.  Feel free to contact me to share a laugh or two at MCMSGroup@aol.com  When writing please put "MENTOR" in the Subject

DX with MS 12/00.  Have tried Avonex, Betaseron and Rebif .  Built up immunity to all of them within 3-4 months.  Currently not taking any MS treatments.

  "Tiggerific Jean"

Life is unpredictable but have to have a positive outlook on life. Never know if it will be a good day or a bad day til you get out of bed, but always have a smile to get you thru the day. Never give up or give in. You might have MS but don't let MS define who you are. My entire right side is affected with the walking being my worst issue. I use a cane in the house, a walker outside and for any long hauls either my wheels or my scooter. I am here for anyone who needs someone to listen to them or vent away or cry or just talk. Life is never easy and MS does not make it easier, but it always helps talking to someone who understands what you are going thru and dealing with. Keep smiling.
MS Treatments Taken In Past = Betaseron
MS Treatments Currently Taking = Copaxone
Other Meds = LDN, Gabapentin, amantadine, B-12 injections
Year Diagnosed = 1999
Any Additional Comments = Have a walkaide for the past 2 years and love it.. if interested please just ask.

On Trial for NERISPIRDINE (Visit Web Site at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00811902?term=NERISPIRDINE&rank=1)
The primary objective is to assess the activity of nerispirdine in improving the ability to walk, in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Secondary objectives:  To assess other measures of walking ability, tiredness, and lower limb muscular strength, spasticity, clinical assessment by subject and clinical assessment of change by the Study Investigator.  This was a 19 week study and as of 4/14/09,
I am almost done.

Janet
jhcamero@aol.com
352-726-8567

Hi my name is Ruth, my friends call me Ruthie.  I was diagnosed with M.S. when I was 49 years old and it has almost been 4 years, WOW!  Hard to believe it's been that long.  I will never forget how I felt when first diagnosed, it was a combination of confusion, fear and relief, all at the same time, as I had thought earlier, I may have a brain tumor.  I was numb from my arms to my hips and it felt like I had a HUGE ace bandage around my arms and whole torso.  My short-term memory was horrible, I was off balance and could not concentrate on anything for any period of time.  They told me I have relapsing-remitting M.S.  I had depression for a long time, but I am so happy now and enjoy every minute of life I can.  I have only had one relapse since then and I am grateful.  God is good and that is where my faith lies.  If you would like to talk just email me and I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can.  If you do not have an M.S group you enjoy being a part of, DO consider ours.  We love life and just want to encourage each other.  We have a lot of activities you can choose from and there are a range of different types of people in our group, so I am sure you can find someone you could share and relate to.  We ARE a SELF-HELP group, although we are ALSO a support group.  You can find resources through us to help yourself, but we also need to try to help ourselves as well.  Have no fear we are here! LOL! We would love to have you if you so desire.

Ruthie Taylor
PO Box 512
Ocala, FL  34478

352-362-4871
MSRuThie828@aol.com

MS Treatments Taken In Past = Copaxone
MS Treatments Currently Taking = Rebif
Year Diagnosed = Oct. 4th 2005

I NEVER GIVE UP, I KEEP TRYING TO FIND DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO THINGS I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH. I BELIEVE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE JUST DON'T GIVE UP. I TRY TO BE POSITIVE, I CAN GET DEPRESSED BUT IT DOESN'T LAST, THANK GOD. EVERYONE NEEDS SOMEONE TO TALK TO SOMEONE TO LISTEN AND ENCOURAGE THEM. I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 2001, BUT NOW I KNOW I HAVE HAD MS SINCE I WAS 3 YEARS OLD. I THINK SMILES CAN MAKE EVERYONE FEEL BETTER EVEN THEMSELVES. HUGS ARE GOOD TOO THEY MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER, AND MAKES OTHERS FEEL BETTER TOO. EVERYONE NEEDS TO FEEL LIKE SOMEONE CARES. EVERYONE NEEDS A SHOULDER SOMETIME, IF I CAN HELP ANYONE I WILL TRY, I AM HERE IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO. OR JUST SOMEONE TO LISTEN.  CONTACT ME AT LYNNZEUCH@AOL.COM.  WHEN WRITING, PLEASE PUT "MENTOR" IN THE SUBJECT

DIAGNOSED 2001.  HAVE TAKEN AVONEX AND COPAXONE.  CURRENTLY TAKING COPAXONE.

LYNNIE THE POOH 

Life is life - Long Learning Process.  You get to learn things you never thought of.  Knowledge is power.  I am the athletic outdoor nerdy type. Will be turning 60 in November.  I am amazed at the stuff they have come up with.  Am now in wheelchair - power one is great.  Keep yourself as healthy as possible.  Remember to smile and laugh.  Take one day at a time. You can tell I used to be a teacher - along with many other things.  Now if we were rich and famous it would be terrific. HaHa!  We could afford the stuff.  I now have 3 grandkids under the age of 3.  The internet is great, as they live in Michigan.  Still working learning internet.  Can now blame cognitive dysfunction on either MS or being a senior - whichever I feel like.  DX 1987.  Have taken Avonex, Betaseron, Novantrone.  I also have a Baclofen Pump. 
You can contact me at sayoung@comcast.net.  When writing please put "MENTOR" in the Subject
  
 

As a prior middle school Social Studies teacher, I am excited about making new friends, sharing stories from my world travels, caring for others at all stages of life, working with the Marion County Virtual School when I live in Ocala, and focusing on a positive attitude.  I enjoy technology in this digital age to send greetings and encouragement.  I am married to Grant who loves people,  photography and wants to find his niche for wedding photography in the community.  He's available at very reasonable prices since he works with digital cameras only.  You can contact me at croswire@cox.net. When writing please put "MENTOR" in the Subject

Diagnosed in 1995.  I have taken Avonex and Rebif in the past.  I am also currently taking Rebif.

Spanish Speaking Mentor:  Lisette

Lisette- lissyb@embarqmail.com
           352-873-3091

Click the link below for a cute poem about friends!

http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/dearfriends/dearfriends.htm