View allAll Photos Tagged MSawareness
TO ALL MY CONTACTS .. I have tried to visit but everything is so painfully slow and leaving a comment is taking forever and then fails. Will try again soon, once my stress levels subside once more.
Having some fun with the gorgeous socks from the Kiss Goodbye to MS memorabilia. One week left to sock it to MS and kiss it goodbye!
Before you escape into a big black hole ... share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group to help raise awareness about MS.
I also have a fund raising page, Palo's Pledge, that accepts donations on behalf of MS Australia to further research into this disease.
Thanks to eflon who shared his wall and window under creative commons.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
MS has changed me to my core.
There’s not a scientific explanation that I can find. It’s turning your life upside down, twisting, breaking, smacking every little part of me kind of change.
It doesn’t know limits.
It has a mind of its own.
Before my diagnosis I was so eager to know what I had. After I was diagnosed, I never searched anything on the internet about MS. I didn’t want to know all the lists of difficult names for me to understand. I didn’t want to read all the sad stories about it, I wasn’t ready for that. I decided to live day by day and get to know MS based on how it was being presented to me. I knew I would collect my own sad stories along this journey...So.
20 years of sad stories and counting.
The pressure to be positive every single day is so unrealistic...
Get up every day, grab the warrior shield and go back to the arena with a smile on your face. Put up a good show.
Make they see you’re stronger than your illness, and if you fall, then get up and keep fighting. Be mindful! Inspire others!
Tomorrow, you get up and you better do everything again. - I mean, this is me being sarcastic.
I’m tired of me.
And believe me, I know it could be much worse. There’s two things that keep me sane: family and photography. For both, it’s damn worthy to wake up and do everything all over again
The brain... central nervous system... myelin... A call on an old phone. Corroded lines. Static. Crackle. Pop. Hiss. A distant haunting voice you can almost, but not quite make out. What is it saying? What? What??
Taken this morning at the hotel we stayed at last night and where we spent all day in a Living with MS event at Newport, S. Wales. My remit was being the event photographer and Huw’s was to open and close the event ( with lots in between) There’s an element of sarcasm in the caption, which I cannot go into detail about on Flickr but, suffice to say I’m very, very tired after only three hours sleep last night and a busy, busy day- tired to the extent that I almost used this photo in comments as my PotD until I realised how much it could turn the stomachs of the faint hearted. Click with caution and clues are in the the tags with apologies because it affects me and mine and both have officially consented to this. Me because I live with this and Huw because they need a ‘control subject’ in scientific terms.
www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/multiple-sclerosis-and-parkin...
I can't imagine what it's like to have MS, though I've known a few people (friends, neighbors, co-workers) afflicted by it (including good Flickr friend Palo (www.flickr.com/photos/paloetic/)
In a sense though, I kind of envision it as the 'Big Bad Wolf', often preying on the young and innocent.
Let's hunt this monster down!
“I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humility. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am most richly blessed.” (source unknown)
The Kiss Goodbye to MS daily photo challenge has given me such a wonderful opportunity to post images to raise awareness, share words I have rarely spoken since diagnosis, to read heartfelt words from others as they share their support and stories of chronic illness. There are many unspoken words ... there are feelings inside me right now that have no words.
My current pledge is $325.50
Share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. You will help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
Donate to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
pluck up the oourage, pucker up and through awareness and support Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis.
Share a photos to my Pledge to Kiss Goodbye group and you will boost my personal pledge to MS Australia to support research into this disease that significantly affects not just the individual but their families.
Due to your support, my pledge currently totals $65.10
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
This image is part of a private collection from Dragon Papillon Photography and is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, sharing or saving as a digital file, printing, manipulating, transmitting or reproducing this image without written permission from Dragon Papillon Photography is strictly forbidden and would constitute a breach of copyright.
Website: www.dragonpapillon.com or follow us on facebook
Some cockleshells which I collected from Swansea Beach the other week. Confusing possibly because I used my macro lens for this and they're less than 1cm in diameter.
Hope to get back to full commenting over the weekend now that the crazy world of #msawareness week draws to a close. Not that we can draw a closure on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as it's the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults and affects around 100,00 people in the UK. Once diagnosed, MS stays with you for life, but treatment and specialists can help to manage the symptoms. At present there is no cure.
Multiple Sclerosis pushes us to the limit.
But we're much stronger than we thing we were.
It's good to know I have support from family, friends and a whole community of warriors.
We're not alone in this battle.
The Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis campaign closes out on the theme - MS Awareness. I have been humbled by this experience and the ways in which I have been supported to raise awareness about this disease.
With my deepest gratitude, I pay my respects to:
each of you that has followed this campaign - your words of encouragement, sharing your deeply personal stories and the way in which you have supported my pledge through your views, comments and faves. With one day of viewing left, my pledge is $759.60. I will announce the final result tomorrow at the end of the international day for 31 May 2013.
each of you that helped to raise awareness through the pledge to kiss goodbye group. So many beautiful pictures, so much creativity! Based on a count yesterday afternoon, the 382 photos there have received over 44 thousand views. Can we make it 400 photos by the end of the day? In some countries around the world, the group even appeared on the front page of yahoo. Raising awareness can be done through small individual actions - if there was ever a reason to believe that change can be made though the collective power of an individual's small action then this is one example.
to those of you who extended your generosity by making a donation to my fund raising page. Thank you does not cover my appreciation enough.
to Marty and M8 who are my pillars of support in sickness and in health.
and finally I pay my respects to my disease that has taught me so much about life. Multiple sclerosis has given me such an awareness about what is important for this day, and in this moment - and for those reasons, I consider myself truly blessed.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
Dear MS,
You have short-circuited your way into so many lives. Regardless of your embrace, I SHARE their wish. I DARE to live life well! I will WEAR high heels and dance again! So there is nothing personal when I say, I choose to walk on by and KISS YOU GODDBYE.
How you can help to Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis
By donating directly to MS Australia on my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge.
Posting an an image showing support to my pledge to kiss goodbye group. In doing so you help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
By simply viewing this image you are making a contribution. My personal donation currently totals : $215.80
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
www.flickr.com/groups/pledgetokissgoodbye/
Away today, but will catch-up soon. Have a great weekend!
My personal experience is that MS has become an acute barometer for my state of well being. I used to try to be a superwoman, I disrespected the signs when I was under extreme stress, I ignored the signs of not caring for myself and my body. MS changed all that. To live well with MS, I can no longer even pretend to be a superwoman - it took me most of the afternoon to recover from this flighty jaunt in the park yesterday. To live well with MS, I am more attuned and when I fall into old habits, my body quickly tells me with fare ups and I pay a price for not living well.
9 days left to share and image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group to help raise awareness about MS.
I also have a fund raising page, Palo's Pledge, that accepts donations on behalf of MS Australia to further research into this disease.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
At the time of posting, my pledge tally is $22.20 - thank you all for your support and comments.
Wearing red can give us a sense of power. There are times when living with multiple sclerosis, I feel completely powerless. By supporting the Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis campaign, we are restoring a sense of power to those directly and indirectly affected by the disease.
If you would like to offer further support in raising awareness of Multiple Sclerosis, join Pledge to Kiss Goodbye and share a photo related to one of the themes. Go to the group for more details and information about my pledge to this worthy cause.
In the spirit of collaboration, the photo was taken by Marty and edited by me.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
This image is part of a private collection from Dragon Papillon Photography and is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, sharing or saving as a digital file, printing, manipulating, transmitting or reproducing this image without written permission from Dragon Papillon Photography is strictly forbidden and would constitute a breach of copyright.
Website: www.dragonpapillon.com or follow us on facebook
For today's Kiss Goodbye to MS photo challenge, I am going back to my youth and reliving some happy memories. I used to be as passionate about dance as I am today about photography. In dance I used to find ways to express myself and my emotions, and the physical exercise helped to focus my mind and calm my soul. Today, I use the camera in a similar way ... these are my old ballet shoes, tattered and torn and when I take them out of their "special box" my feet still itch to put them on ... I wish I could kiss goodbye to MS.
8 days left to share and image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group to help raise awareness about MS.
I also have a fund raising page, Palo's Pledge, that accepts donations on behalf of MS Australia to further research into this disease.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
... vulnerable and not always as strong or courageous as people may believe.
To be honest ... this has been a tough month and more emotionally challenging than I anticipated at the onset of this campaign. I normally do not try to spend so much time thinking about multiple sclerosis or try to dwell on the impact the disease has had on me. I could have taken on this project superficially, but it was an opportunity to reflect, to dig deep. In that process, I have discovered some things about my life, relationships and my own coping strategies that have been confronting and uncomfortable. It will take some time to digest those truths and to decide how I move forward from here.
On the flip side, the support from you all has been equally overwhelming and I sincerely thank you all for engaging in this project.
Every view, fave and comment adds to my pledge to the KGTOMS campaign. The current tally is $618.50
Only 5 days left to share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group to help raise awareness about MS. Thank you to everyone that has contributed so far.
I also have a fund raising page, Palo's Pledge, that accepts donations on behalf of MS Australia to further research into this disease.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
Just me and my two favourite men!
We have plenty of cameras, just not many family shots ... so when KGTOMS asked for a "family" photo for today's theme, it was a great opportunity to get the family together for a quick family shoot.
Every view, fave and comment adds to my pledge to the KGTOMS campaign.
The end of the month is near with only 4 days left to share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group to help raise awareness about MS. Thank you to everyone that has contributed so far.
I also have a fund raising page, Palo's Pledge, that accepts donations on behalf of MS Australia to further research into this disease.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
It is ironic that the Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign asks us to smile for today's photo challenge.
With your comments, faves and views, my current pledge is $481.15 - now that is something to smile about. Although the new format for flickr is not :)
Only 10 days left to share and image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. Every person that signs up to the pledge and posts a photo to help raise awareness about MS contributes to my pledge to MS Australia at the end of this month.
If you are able, please make a donation to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
the red door
i had not seen before
diagnosis
physical, emotional, mental barriers
I can find alternative ways
social, economic, political barriers
a collective responsibility
to gain access through
the red door.
with your support, my personal pledge is $267.30 - thank you.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
29 June 2005. I lived, thinking that I was alive. Within 24-hours I would realise that I had not been really living at all – that mentally, emotionally and spiritually I was already half dead.
We all have the gift of imagination in order to believe in a different reality, a better future.
Inspiration is the light we see in the darkness, even if we have to create the source of that light in an alternate reality deep within our psyche.
12 May 2013. If I had never been so sick, I would not be the better person I am today – spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
The fuller version to explain what Mario has to do with any of this is in the comments.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
Even in the darkest hours, I see your light beckoning me home. I know of no greater happiness than that feeling of finding my way home.
The penultimate post for the Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis campaign is "someone who makes me happy".
Only a couple of days left to help raise awareness about MS by sharing a post with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. Or if you are able you can make a donation to Palo's Pledge, where the funds go directly to MS Australia to further research into this disease. Thank you.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
I have read so many personal stories this past couple of weeks, and each one has touched me. One of the recurring themes that has come out of these stories is that each of us, at different times in our lives, need hope and validation in order to live life well.
Some illnesses like multiple sclerosis, crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, lyme disease are difficult to diagnose as the symptoms can be mistaken for so many illnesses or it is so difficult to accurately describe what the symptoms are like that often those symptoms are dismissed by ourselves and the medical profession. While waiting for diagnosis we may lose hope and begin to doubt ourselves ... and before long a negative spiral of emotional and mental distress compounds our ability to cope. All we need is hope and validation.
My current pledge is $419.50 Each of your comments, views and faves are contributing to that pledge.
Share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. You will help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
Donate to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
Today's clue for the KGTOMS campaign is red, red, red. So I thought I would have a bit of fun.
If you can correctly guess how many visible items were used to set up for this shoot, I will send you a photo of your choice from my KGTOMS set. Guessing competition will close at the end of the Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign. You can have up to three guesses.
My current pledge has increased to $461.75 based on your comments, views and fave.
Join the other 63 people that have signed up to the pledge to kiss goodbye group. Share a photo with that group and you will boost the pledge. Thank you for the 297 photos currently posted to the group.
You can make a donation to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
When R entered my life, she did so with the gift of friendship.
With an open heart, open mind and open arms, I can share with her the good, the bad and the ugly.
I can tell her things I do not have the courage to tell others without reservation.
She knows me better than most.
My current pledge is $372.80
Share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. You will help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
Donate to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
There are many ... The obvious ones:
I was diagnosed with MS in 2005. It just makes sense to show my support for organisations like MS Australia that work tirelessly to further research and provide a range of services to those directly and indirectly affected by the disease.
An opportunity to raise awareness about this disease with a daily photo challenge is "so me", hence my commitment to personally donate an amount of money at the end of this month to MS Australia based on the views on my Flickr posts supporting this cause. At the time of this post - my pledge to date is $169.05.
The real reason though comes from a strong inner belief. I believe that small actions of positive intent can have a widespread impact on the world we live in. With small actions we can change the world, because we have initiated a change within ourselves. The true nature of that impact may not be necessarily known to the person who took the action and that is OK.
You too can take a small action by sharing a photo to my Pledge to Kiss Goodbye group. Not only will this action increase my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month, but it will have a positive effect in raising awareness, and awareness supports knowledge and knowledge helps us make conscious life choices.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
This image is part of a private collection from Dragon Papillon Photography and is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, sharing or saving as a digital file, printing, manipulating, transmitting or reproducing this image without written permission from Dragon Papillon Photography is strictly forbidden and would constitute a breach of copyright.
Website: www.dragonpapillon.com or follow us on facebook
MS Awareness Week. I decided on this shot of BOB (Multiple Sclerosis Trusts mascot) to promote MS awareness week 11-17 March in America and 29 April to 5 May in UK. Just want to say thankyou to my two kids who ran round the house to find lots of blue things to make this picture.
MS Awareness Week is about encouraging people like me and you to give people with multiple sclerosis a chance. So what is it exactly?
In short: a progressive disease affecting the brain and spinal chord. The effects can vary from person to person, so to understand more about the different levels and symptoms take a look at these MS facts. In 2012 the campaign slogan urged you to 'Be bold in blue!' That meant anything from blue-themed parties or cake sales to ... dyeing your hair blue! It didn't look good on me before, but for charity ...
There are plenty of other options too. Why not give a talk in your local community? Or if public speaking isn't your thing write a letter to your local newspaper - or even skydive to raise money!
It will be a challenge but worth it if we can draw attention to the cause and help suffers at the same time.
And don't forget to get on facebook or twitter and post facts to raise awareness or make your picture blue. Online networking campaigns are usually so successful because information is delivered so fast between everyone. And the sooner the better!
For more details about MS Awareness Week go to the official website.
During May, MS Australia is raising awareness about Multiple Sclerosis through a special Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign.
In Australia, Multiple Sclerosis affects more than 23,000 Australian, with 75% of those inflicted with the disease being women. The cause of MS is not known. There is no cure. The progression and impact of the disease on each individual is unpredictable and presents differently on a case by case basis.
I am fortunate not to be dependent on my walking stick, yet it is a constant reminder that, that may not always be the case. This month, I plan to participate in the Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis campaign through my images.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
This image is part of a private collection from Dragon Papillon Photography and is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, sharing or saving as a digital file, printing, manipulating, transmitting or reproducing this image without written permission from Dragon Papillon Photography is strictly forbidden and would constitute a breach of copyright.
Website: www.dragonpapillon.com or follow us on facebook
Today's Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis theme is brain. I decided to repost this image from 2010 and some of the words that accompanied the original post ...
I tell myself that in hating this disease, I have learned to love myself, at least a little.
I tell myself that I truly mourn for what I have lost, but am grateful for what I have gained.
I tell myself that this illness will not define me, yet it cries out for attention,
but how can that be in a world filled with so much pain,
for I know I am one of the lucky ones.
I tell myself that I will be strong, yet I am frightened.
I tell myself that this is meant to be, yet I scream with anger and frustration.
I tell myself that in posting this picture, I have taken another step towards acceptance and healing.
MS and me are still getting to know each other and we both keep changing and we will do so for life.
... for whatever I learn, and feel, and lose and gain along the way, you will forever live inside my head.
By sharing a photo to my Pledge to Kiss Goodbye group, you will boost my personal pledge to MS Australia this month. I will be adding $17.95 to that tally based on the view, comments and faves that this image received from it's original post date.
Current pledge tally : $122.99
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
This image is part of a private collection from Dragon Papillon Photography and is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, sharing or saving as a digital file, printing, manipulating, transmitting or reproducing this image without written permission from Dragon Papillon Photography is strictly forbidden and would constitute a breach of copyright.
Website: www.dragonpapillon.com or follow us on facebook
The theme for today's photo challenge is "I wish I could kiss goodbye to ....". I wish I could kiss goodbye to the devastating effect that the words "NO CURE" can have on so many.
Autism, Bi-polar Disorder, Cystic Fibrosis, Dementia, Emphysema, Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, Galactosialidosis (Goldberg Syndrome), Hopeless Aatrocytoma (Brain Cancer), Infertility, Krabbe Disease, Lymphocytic Lymphoma, Multiple sclerosis (MS), Niemann-Pick, Types A and B, Osteoarthritis, Psoriasis, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Schindler Disease, Tay-Sachs Disease, Wolman Disease and so many more.
My hope is that researchers continue to be creative in their search for cause and cure and that doctors are inspired by empathy to give a true sense of hope as they deliver the words "no cure".
My current pledge is $352.35
Share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. You will help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
Donate to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
May 29, 2013 marks World MS Day. To raise awareness globally this year, the MS International Federation is asking people, whether they have MS or not, to upload their motto for overcoming challenges and making the most of life.
When dealing with a chronic illness, we all need multiple strategies. For the last 8 years, these three words - well, being, now - have become my mantra. In my mind, I can play with these words, mix the order and when I verbalise them internally they give me the focus I need to make the most of my life in this moment.
Well being now
Being well now
Now well-being
Now own ... Won now
Being now well
Well-being now
Post your motto to the MSIF page.
Share an image that helps to raise awareness with the pledge to kiss goodbye group.
Donate to Palo's Pledge, where the funds go directly to MS Australia to further research into this disease.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
My son was 5 years old when I had my first MS episode. The onset was sudden and dramatic. I completely lost all awareness of the left hand side of my body from head to toe - it felt I had been sliced in half. Half of me was alive, the other half no longer existed. I could not stand without falling over like a drunken sailor, I was unable to walk. Although I still had the physical capability to do so, my brain simply could not send or receive the neurological impulses to or from my body and make sense of them as a call to action. I was given access to a wheelchair during my rehabilitation, but it was like sitting in a boat with only one paddle - all I could do was go around in circles.
With the energetic enthusiasm that only a 5 year old can harness, M8 would "frog march" me down the hospital corridors intoning the commands - "Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right". Somehow his words helped my brain to interpret the words into action, my brain was simply too tired to even form the thought of words for itself. My gait may have been shuffled and uncoordinated and without a walking frame I may not have gotten very far, but a few metres of walking gave me hope that one day I would be able to walk again unaided. I had Captain Support walking beside me.
Every time my balance is poor or my ability to walk is compromised, I hear my son's 5 year old voice in my head - Left, Right, Left .... from time to time we all need support, sometimes we are too proud or stubborn to accept it, sometimes we just need a different source of inspiration to get us through.
How you can help to Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis
You can make a donation directly to MS Australia on my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge.
You can post an image showing support to my pledge to kiss goodbye group. In doing so you help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
By simply viewing this image you are making a contribution. My personal pledge to MS Australia is currently $194.90
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
MS is difficult to diagnose. There is no single test to identify MS. It shares symptoms with many other chronic and neurological diseases.
Prognosis and the progression of MS is difficult to predict. MS symptoms vary from individual to individual and can fluctuate within an individual over the course of the disease. There is not always an overt progression of the disease in that lesions may be developing without any noticeable physical symptoms.
MS is the most cause of non-traumatic disability among young and middle-aged people. MS may lead to permanent physical disability. Within 15 years of onset, more than 80% of sufferers have some physical limitation, more that 50% will require help to walk, 70% will have limited or inability to perform daily activities, 75% will be unemployed.
The cause of MS is unknown. Currently there are no overly effective treatments to halt progression of the disease. There is no cure. Current medications have significant side effects, and on average have less than a 30% probability in reducing the progression of the disease. Many find the medications not an acceptable option to manage the disease.
As with many chronic illnesses, clinical depression is common amongst those with MS. It has been estimated that the suicide rate amongst MS sufferers is 7.5 times greater than the general population. It is estimated that over 30% of those diagnosed with MS suffer from social anxiety.
Up to 65% of MS patients report cognitive dysfunction. There may be a reduction in abstract and reasoning skills, verbal fluency, attention deficits, impaired visual spatial judgment and short term memory.
Any number of symptoms may present during the course of the disease including dysarthia, paralysis, paresis, spasms, spasticity, spastic paralysis, tremors, seizures, dysethesia, fatigue, hold and cold sensations, pruritis, numbness, tingling, pain, dysphagia, double vision, optic atrophy, loss of sight, abnormal sensitivity, coordination and balance issues, gait ataxia, bowel and bladder problems, cognitive dysfunction, optic neuritis, anxiety, depression, extreme emotional and mood swings. It is an overwhelming list.
My current pledge is $685.90 (excluding the contributions by those made to the pledge to kiss goodbye group)
I have received $830 in donations. Thank you to everyone for their generosity.
Tomorrow - 29 MAY - is WORLD MS DAY
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
Today's theme is MS Ambassador.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the MS Angels, a network of professional business women founded in 2008. The MS Angels support independent research into Multiple Sclerosis by each making a donation of $2,000 per year which is collectively invested into a research project chosen by the group. Projects that would not be able to proceed without their financial backing.
The title for today's image comes from the song written and performed by Bernard Fanning (former lead singer of Powderfinger). Watch Over Me was dedicated to the plight of young disabled Australians requiring full time care and having few options other than through aged care facilities. He became acutely aware of this issue through his friend Shevaune who at the age of 33 needed full time care due to the extent of her disabilities arising from Multiple Sclerosis. Until that time in 2006, the level of public awareness about the shortage of care options had not been sufficient enough to generate enough momentum for the government to act on the issue.
My current pledge is $389.20. Each of your comments, views and faves are contributing to that pledge.
Share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. You will help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
Donate to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
Taken this morning at Cardiff Bay - a rare selfie of me in The Water Tower there. I'm hesitant in explaining this but here goes........ The reason for this is because an altercation with a man who had parked his massive delivery lorry in a disabled parking bay taking up two spaces set aside for Blue Badge Holders had somewhat rattled me. Many will know that I find walking any great distance to be challenging so when I spend time at Cardiff Bay whilst Huw is in his monthly meeting at MS Soc Cymru, we need to park the car here because I use my 'Doris' Bike' . We both challenged the lorry driver over this and in brief, one of his sentences got to me .... "I'm fed up of the likes of you" as he took a phone shot of the inside of the open boot of our hatchback car (!) Anyhow I scooted off in the direction of Cardiff Wetlands Nature Reserve , a place where nature knows no boundaries nor discrimination.
I must say though that I did laugh when Huw joined me there and told me that when he returned to the car , there were three armed policemen looking at it ( presumably on the way to The Senedd / Welsh National Assembly) lol!!
Wear red today to show your support.
Dare to wear nothing but red for the rest of this month to show your support.
Share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. You will help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
Donate to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
WARNING - tomorrow's post will contain quite a long story. Grab a coffee to enjoy while you read
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
For everyone who took the time to read my story yesterday, thank you. No words today ... the theme for today's Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis is a red building. This is the "red box" or Physical Theatre in Lilyfield. Posting this image does not suggest a relationship or association between MS Australia and the Theatre.
My current pledge is $303.75
Share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group. You will help to raise awareness while boosting my personal donation to MS Australia at the end of this month.
Donate to my fund raiser's page Palo's Pledge. All funds go directly to MS Australia to further research and to provide service to those affected by MS.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
March is MS Awareness month and their color is orange. So, to honor my wife's battle against MS I'll be wearing orange all this month. We got our ribbons opposite each other....kind of a yin/yang thing.
As the search for a cure and eventually to Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis continues, my wish is for continued research into the role of Vitamin D in the onset and treatment of MS. To date, studies into Vitamin D are largely dismissed by the medical community and drug companies based on the lack of rigorous scientific protocols used in the studies, yet the anecdotal evidence of Vitamin D supplements from those inflicted with the disease grows.
As a side note ... if there is a link between Vitamin D and MS, it worries me that we have a generation of children and young adults that are not getting enough Vitamin D naturally from the sun in their formative years. If there is a link between Diet and MS, it worries me that we are raising a generation of children and young adults on highly processed foods with high concentrations of saturated fat. If there is a link between Chronic Stress and MS, it worries me that the next generation of children and young adults are living in a world of unprecedented stress without the resources and resilience to deal with this stress in helpful ways.
By sharing a photo to my Pledge to Kiss Goodbye group, you will boost my personal pledge to MS Australia this month.
Current pledge tally : $149.85
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
This image is part of a private collection from Dragon Papillon Photography and is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Copying, duplicating, sharing or saving as a digital file, printing, manipulating, transmitting or reproducing this image without written permission from Dragon Papillon Photography is strictly forbidden and would constitute a breach of copyright.
Website: www.dragonpapillon.com or follow us on facebook
HEALTH
the golden inner glow
a state of mind
sometimes my body fails to function as it should
sometimes my body fails to respond as it should
my body will never be completely well again
but my illness does not define who I am, or who I can be
I am not my illness, and my illness is not me
as long as I can feel life is worth living
I will live life as well as I can, and for me that is healthy living.
Every comment, view and fave continues to bolster my pledge to MS Australia to support research efforts into this disease. Thank you for your continued support, your words, your stories, your photos.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
The theme for the Kiss Goodbye to MS photo challenge is "today" .. and it has been a glorious autumn day in Sydney. Blue skies, a few fluffy clouds, and even some flowers still out praising the sun.
Remember every view, fave and comment adds to my pledge to the KGTOMS campaign. The current tally is $597.15
Only 6 days left to share an image with the pledge to kiss goodbye group to help raise awareness about MS. Thank you to everyone that has contributed so far.
I also have a fund raising page, Palo's Pledge, that accepts donations on behalf of MS Australia to further research into this disease.
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COPYRIGHT © Dragon Papillon Photography. 2013. All rights reserved.
The last I'll post from this assignment--I promise. But I wanted to highlight the song I was singing--one of my all-time favourite songs. Also by Stan Rogers, I first heard this song when Stan was performing on Canada Day at the University of Waterloo many years ago now. The song is called 45 Years, and was written to Stan's wife. I don't play it as well as Stan, but I play it well enough to sing and enjoy it. I've actually performed this at a wedding (few years ago). To listen, go to this link www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrGDoDloD1M
A reminder that I'm wearing red to help raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. Check out my friend Palo's stream at www.flickr.com/photos/paloetic/ Visit her and comment on her shots to help raise money to fight this awful disease of the nervous system.
I think this is the worst selfie ever I've done in my life with me looking so miserable and holding a scribbled banner instead of a neat one, also the awful background - but having been involved all week in the MS Society's #treatmeright Awareness Campaign I felt compelled to do it. You can read more about it here...
www.treatmerightms.org.uk/about/
I'd already taken my Photo a Day before going out this morning but I'm submitting this as today's Photo a Day..... *cringe ..........
My intended one in comments.