Butt Kicking Multiple Sclerosis

I was blessed to grow up in a small town and attend small, private schools for most of my life.  And God created a bond between me and a group of girls that is greater then any other, through grade school, middle school, high school . . . and even now.  We called ourselves The Golden Beach Girls because most of our lives were spent on this beach.  The girls and I have been through so much together that it's hard to break a bond like that, even when we no longer spend all of our days together.  Good times or bad, we've stuck by each others' sides, encouraged one another and trusted each other with our happiness and tears.

So when I found out that one of my best friends, Janine, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis last year, I was more then sad.  And the most difficult part of it was, there wasn't anything I could do.  I could tell her I was praying for her, but for me, that didn't seem like enough.  I wanted to do more to show her my support and encouragement, but I was at a loss.  What could a stay at home mom, over a thousand miles away, do to help one of her best friends fight and beat Multiple Sclerosis? 

I asked Janine to share her story with you.  My hope is that her story resonates in the hearts of others who may have MS themselves or know someone who is going through it.  May she bring encouragement to those who need it most.

I woke up one morning and was completely blind out of my right eye.  The eye specialist diagnosed me with Optical Neuritis.  He said there were a couple diseases that can cause this and I had to go through a lot of blood test and MRI's.  They ruled out the other diseases and because of all the lesions I had in my brain and cervical spine, it was MS.  I was scared to death.  But after a few days of crying and accepting it, I came to terms with it.  My parents, my partner and friends all came out of the wood work to show their support.  It made a world of difference.  And then I said to myself, I will get through this and kick this disease in the butt! (Knowing Janine, I'm pretty sure she didn't use the word butt, more like. . . well, let's just say she doesn't have a censor. *Insert smile here*)  Changing my lifestyle has helped me do that.  I can't do many of the things I enjoyed, such as, the beach, sun, hot showers, baths and drinking.  I'm eating better, but most of all, I'm staying positive.  I always say to myself it could be worse and it makes me think about how lucky I am even with having MS.  I'm also trying to bring awareness to people about the disease.  For the most part, I'm feeling pretty good.  I do have my days of feeling overtired, but when that happens, I just rest.  For those who have been diagnosed with MS,  Stay Positive!  I believe that is more then half the battle and take care of your body.  

Though I know what it's like to make a complete lifestyle change like Janine, I can't imagine living with a disease that there is currently no cure for.  So, in honor of Janine, our Shaklee business, Encouraging Healthy, is donating 50% of our profits in the month of February, to the National MS Society.  On March 9th, Janine will be participating in Walk MS and the money raised will go to creating a world free of Multiple Sclerosis. 

It is my prayer that this will help encourage others to live a healthier life and at the same time, help Janine raise money and awareness for MS.  If you would like to make a purchase, please visit  EncouragingHealthy.MyShaklee.com. 

⁹ But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.    

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Do you know someone who is butt kicking MS?