We Mourn The Loss And Celebrate The Legacies

Heaven became richer this weekend with the passing of three incredibly gifted men who were each deeply committed to their craft. They illuminated our lives in varied ways with their brilliance and talents, and brightened our world with their legacies. We were blessed to have had them among us.

They will be missed.

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I can’t imagine our world without ever having the great, compassionate Oliver Sacks, the neurologist who loved and understood people and wrote his own unique tune of bridging science with storytelling. He lived his life so large that retelling it for the sake of an obituary seems almost impossible. Sacks was such an extraordinarily gifted man, studying the intricacies of the brain from every angle and applying his wealth of knowledge to help those suffering with brain-related illnesses through his practice and his books.

"People will make a life in their own terms, whether they are deaf or colourblind or autistic or whatever. And their world will be quite as rich and interesting and full as our world." ~Oliver Sacks

I see his writings as examples of possibility – pairing humanity with medicine by having an open and radiant heart. His love of music - particularly Beethoven and Mendelssohn - was legendary. It helped carry him to a kind of spirituality that helped him help others through the human suffering he understood too well. He knew a synergy existed between the mind and body and leaned on that for wellness for himself and others.

Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears – it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more – it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity.” ~Oliver Sacks

To learn more about Oliver Sacks check out his 1974 memoir A Leg to Stand On or his insights on transforming our cognition through music in his book Musicophilia.

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I first fell in love with author and motivational speaker Wayne Dyer after reading his 1976 bestselling book The Erroneous Zones that taught me how to stop negative self-talk. At the time I didn’t know it but his words would later play an important role in my life after being diagnosed with MS. Other books would follow that were equally helpful including Pulling Your Own StringsChange Your Thoughts Change Your Life, The Power of Intention and Excuses Begone!

"How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours." 
""Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice."
"Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life."~Wayne Dyer

The other day I took my usual walk and listened (for the millionth time) to Dyer reading his book Living the Wisdom of the Tao. He explains the teachings of the great Chinese prophet Lao-tzu and how changing the way you think will change your life. I love listening to Dyer's voice; this book always resonates deeply. Every time I hear it I am inspired and re-energized. It is a great gift he left for all of us.

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I admittedly was not a fan of Wes Craven movies. But you can’t argue the popularity of his films in such series as Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream. Going from the academic world into porn and then onto horror films, Craven carved a niche for himself that many theatergoers will truly miss.

Our world feels a bit emptier right now, but the legacies left behind by these three gentlemen help fill that void. To simply say thank you for their work sounds so inadequate. So instead I’ll share Oliver Sack’s last tweet (August 23) with his choice of accompanying video.

“A beautiful way to perform one of the world’s great musical treasures.” Oliver Sacks

How Multiple Sclerosis Patients Can Take An Active Role In Expediting Research

The beginning of a new year is a chance to wipe the slate clean and begin a new journey filled with hope and possibility. I visualize that journey as climbing a majestic mountain that rises high above the ocean. With each passing mile I get closer to accomplishing another goal. When I finally reach the pinnacle I'll feel more alive, mindful of my glorious achievements while enjoying the magnificent view that envelops me.

Multiple Sclerosis

Each step I climb represents my personal goals. And one of those goals is to continue spreading awareness about living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Reaching the top of the mountain would mean that a cure has been discovered, finally putting an end to this horrible disease.

Will I reach the top in my lifetime? I'm not clairvoyant but I always hold hope in my heart.

That is why I take part in NARCOMS (North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis), a bi-annual online patient registry where I answer questions about my life with MS. I feel good knowing that I'm part of a greater good, because my answers ultimately help to facilitate multi-center research about MS.

"NARCOMS, a project of the Consortium of MS Centers, is a patient registry that was founded in 1995 and contains patient-driven information on over 37,000 patients. Information from NARCOMS has enhanced research activities regarding demographics of MS as well as environmental factors involved in disease activity (vitamin D, smoking). "~June Halper, APN-C, CEO of CMSC, Executive Director of IOMSN, MSNICB

Anyone diagnosed with MS can sign up for this free, confidential registry. Like me, the information you provide will supply valuable information that expedites research and improves clinical care and quality of life issues for patients and families affected by MS.

Multiple Sclerosis

Questions such as demographics, disease history, quality of life, functionality, and relapse and symptom progression are a sample of what you'll be asked.

NARCOMS also publishes a quarterly magazine, NARCOMS Now (free to all NARCOMS participants),that features MS news and information about the registry. The Winter 2015 edition focuses on health and wellness and is filled with interesting information. I was fortunate to be interviewed for their Feature Focus story.

 Multiple Sclerosis

Check out the NARCOMS website and sign up for their registry. While you're there take a look at the NARCOMS Now page to find the latest MS news and information, and learn about NARCOMS MS apps and photo contests. Click the PLAY tab to give your brain a workout with their word puzzles.

If you want to learn more about the purpose and participation benefits of NARCOMS, here's Dr. Daniel Kantor interviewing Dr. Gary Cutter, Director, NARCOMS Data Coordinating Center.

I hope you'll join me on my journey to the top of the mountain!

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