The Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto

Book excerpt: An empowering guide for increasing your quality of life, navigating challenges, and embracing opportunities Julie Stachowiak, PhD is the About.com Guide to Multiple Sclerosis. As an epidemiologist who is also a person living with MS, Julie has an in-depthunderstanding about the scientific developments around MS and the personal side of living with a chronic illness. In the Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto, Julie shows you how to create your own personal MS manifesto and provides practical tools and reassurance to help you ìget betterî in your life, from optimizing medical care and managing symptoms, to strengthening relationships, dealing with emotions, and embracing activism. Committed to making the hard parts easier and the good parts last longer, Julie show you how to figure out what you need, identify opportunities, understand challenges, and get your needs met. With the Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto, youíll know how to: Create your personal mission statement Protect yourself by learning more about medications you are currently taking or considering to take Determine what you want in a doctor and how to evaluate the doctor you have Celebrate your successesóand why itís essential that you do Make disclosing your MS status to friends, family and others easier Find a support group