Strength from within – meet Marc Lerner

Posted on February 16, 2011 by laina

Marc Lerner was diagnosed with MS on May 15th 1981. Instead of taking a back seat to the disease Marc said “this has been an amazing challenge and a journey of self-discovery.” He wrote a book, A Healthy Way to be Sick, to share how he learned to cope with a chronic illness. Marc said “I found that, no matter what the challenge we face, the key to consciously deal with it is found in The Wisdom of the Body. I have found that the natural reaction of a person in a struggle is to look outside for the solution. By developing one’s inner wisdom, you can consciously participate as a partner with your doctor.”

Marc has an inner strength we can all learn from. It is hard to face any challenge life throws in our path without wanting to run toward finding that easy solution. But really when it comes down to it we must be strong. Stay strong and fight to overcome any challenge.

For National MS Week 2010, Marc was featured in his local paper,
AnnArbor.com on 3-17-10.

Marc also gives tele-seminars for the chronically ill and disabled to teach
them four main life skills; positive self-image, self-trust,
freedom from negative thinking, connecting to The Wisdom of
the Body. marc says “In my seminars, I am often told by the
participants that these are the skills that everyone
needs—not just those in a health crisis. In 1982, I
founded Life Skills Institute and continue to serve as its
president. Please go to A Healthy Way to be Sick to
review my e-book, which was endorsed by Bernie Siegel. Go to
Life SKills Inc to view the rest of my work.”

Thanks Marc for being a positive role model and such an advocate for Multiple Sclerosis.
Laina

Is it that hard to follow the rules?

Posted on December 16, 2010 by laina

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: Image by nedrichards via Flickr

People in airports should be given a test to make sure they clearly understand the airport-specific rules. Or maybe just trying to find out if they can read! No you cannot take a gallon of liquid through security, even if it is a $5 latte from Starbucks! When the sign says no liquids or gels over 2 .oz (or is it 3 .oz) you are really supposed to listen. It’s not just put there for fun folks. But obviously there are some that think so. Recently, as I myself was going through airport security I witnessed such an act. I felt bad for the security people as they probably get so many stupid people daily who think the rules don’t apply to them – I would hate that job. Yet, for the most part they seemed to remain patient. Which in this case I could not believe as first because the man was livid he had to throw away the coffee he had just bought. To top, he then was told to take off his shoes. As he was being verbally abusive to the security dude I couldn’t help but wonder at what point they would just call more security and cart him away. I would have thoroughly enjoyed that. But to no avail. The employees were more than courteous to him and got him to comply. I just don’t understand what makes people behave that way.

Laina

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Orange is the new pink

Posted on November 29, 2010 by laina

Campaign – Orange is the new pink

WHY is this important to me?? See my website.

What’s coming…..

Orange is the new pink – raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis…
1. The BOOK (ebook and paperback form)
2. The iPhone app
3. The website

The book idea started when I was promoting awareness for National MS week and World MS day last year and had guest bloggers and read so many fascinating stories that were uplifting and inspiring. I wanted to share these amazing stories and help create more awareness for the cause at the same time.

The book will launch that goal. The iPhone app will be .99 and the majority of profits will go to the MS society. The iPhone app will have informational pieces and be linked to a blog where I hope more people will participate by posting their stories.

I am collecting donations for the iPhone app and website development and to off set book costs. Sponsors will be listed as a sponsor on both the app and website with any relevant info/links.

The original goal was to have the book out by the holiday but due to the absolutely overwhelming response of folks wanting to be included I have decided I would rather take more time and make sure it is as great as it can possible be so launch dates are as follows.

National MS week is March 14th-20th, 2011 so I felt launching these elements March 1st, 2011 will give time to really build some momentum for National MS week that will carry through World MS day on May 26th and through the walk/bike race seasons.

I will send out updates to keep you informed. If you want to contribute, or know someone who has a story, contact me at laina@lainaturner.com.

“Like” the facebook fan page I will also post updates there and want to build the fan page so when the site is ready it will be an easy migration.

If you want to donate and be a sponsor click here.

I should have screenshots available for the website soon.

Laina

MS Bike Ohio

Posted on August 30, 2010 by laina

Yesterday we went to a fund-raising bike-a-thon in Ohio, between Columbus and Cincinnati. It was a great event. We got to meet people, they had a live band, ice cream truck, free Vitamin Water, except for the heat it was a perfect day. The heat did keep away a lot of folks especially since heat is not a friend to suffers of MS. AS a result we fell short of our goal to raise money so we are offering our t-shirts online to be able to hopefully reach more people and achieve our goal.

Go to Orange is the new Pink to purchase your t-shirt today.

What is MS?
It’s an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease — one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues. In the case of MS, it is the nerve-insulating myelin that comes under assault. Such assaults may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus.
Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye. Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or even standing. In the worst cases, MS can produce partial or complete paralysis. Most people with MS also exhibit paresthesias, transitory abnormal sensory feelings such as numbness, prickling, or “pins and needles” sensations. Some may also experience pain. Speech impediments, tremors, and dizziness are other frequent complaints. Occasionally, people with MS have hearing loss. Approximately half of all people with MS experience cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment, but such symptoms are usually mild and are frequently overlooked. Depression is another common feature of MS.
There aren’t currently any cures but raising awareness is important for funding and working toward a cure. If you want to help spread the word check out out Orange is the new Pink merchandise.

Also here is a blog written by someone with MS and it’s a fun read and informational. Travis.

It’s World MS Day – Let’s raise the roof!!!!

Posted on May 26, 2010 by laina

GO ORANGE!!!!!

Awareness is the key to finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Today is World MS Day and yet so many folks don’t know it. We need to make a balls out effort today to make sure that everyone we know understands what MS is and promote ORANGE as THE color!

There are too many awesome people who suffer from this disease and we must get the funding to find a cure. Grass roots is where the Susan G. Komen foundation started and look where they are now.

If each of us tells one person today about MS we can grow the awareness by leaps and bounds!! So DO IT!

Laina

Raise MS awareness through Orange is teh new pink merchandise and a donation to the MS Society. Click here.