Living Obliquely

Approximately 1400 people are diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (TM) annually.
Similar to Multiple Sclerosis, it attacks your myelin, leading to painful and debilitating side effects.
About 33,000 Americans are currently disabled as a result of this rare neurological disorder.
Not one person with TM will ever know their prognosis.
I happen to be one of them.



I am a neurological soup. Since my TM diagnosis, I have developed encephalitis, MS, RSD/CRPS, Osteoporosis (I am 34, no 35, eek), and Chronic Anemia. Yeah...life sucks, but I still rock.



7.31.2009

Let the TM Word be Spread like Butter!

A lot of good, bad, and who the hell knows has been going on in my transverse myelitis (TM) life, but I'll get to that later.

For now, let's toast and boast.

I was invited to write an article about myself and TM for The New York Optimist, an online magazine with more than 55,000 readers. The publisher liked the article so much he made it the cover article.

I'll continue to spread the neuro word here and there. But for this week, let's hope that 55,000 more people get a little edumecation [sic] about how special we 1 in 1 million-ers are...

To us.
To PR.
To a cure.
To recovery.
And in this instance to coverage.

Tonight I may eat a butter sandwich with a glass of vino to celebrate. And maybe if we channel our energies on the word spread we'll accomplish so much more as a unit than individually.

spread, spread, spread, spread, spread, spread,spread...

I'm feelin' it (except in the places in my body that are TM numb). :)

Until later,
Melanie

2 comments:

  1. Hi Melanie. I read your NY Optimist article. It's both informative and evocative at once. Your writing always inspires me.

    The article also reminded me that although I think of you often, I haven't taken the time to make contact. I'll work on that. For today, please know that you've touched many lives and we're all the better for your presence.

    With a warm hug for you,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Mellllll!!!!!!
    i read your article, and as usual, it is excellent!!!! your words always make sense...
    u r still fighting and that makes you strong, unstopable, unbeatable.
    Hope one day we all recover...
    before, we used to say: fake it till u make
    now, we have to say: fake it, face it and then u make it...
    ciao ciao
    hoxee

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for sharing your comments on my blog. Please stop back soon or subscribe by clicking http://feeds.feedburner.com/NeuroDetour.

If you're a Philly-region person with TM, please consider joining the Transverse Myelitis Philadelphia network (http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=44446668472), a new social networking group that I started for people with TM so that we can meet and chat casually. It's only on Facebook for now, so, if you haven't already, join. It's easy.

Best,
Melanie

In Pictures

Please Note: Some photos may contain partial nudity or depictions of medical procedures. Though I am in many of these photos, my reason for sharing these personal photos is to promote awareness, understanding, and advocacy for people with TM and other rare diseases.
To play the slide show, click the big play button in the center of the screen, then the small one in the bottom left corner. Click here for more advanced viewing instructions, and select "Help."

Twittering Mel

    follow me on Twitter

    Neuro Art Latest

    See My Art Published in Monkey Puzzle Issue #7

    See My Art Published in Monkey Puzzle Issue #7
    Representing TM through Art and Dialogue...Locally, Nationally, Virtually.