SomeoneLikeMe.ca

When I first started writing for Someonelikeme.ca, I wrote a post about The Art of Healing that talked about my journey as an artist who unexpectedly lost all the feeling in my hands. I talked about how I adapted to this devastating loss and eventually “found” photography. Since that time, I have continued my exploration of the world through the lense and I’ve come a long way from where I started.

Taking on photography at the beginning of last year was a huge leap for me. Oh sure, I’d snapped quick photos of the family over the years like everyone else, but I wouldn’t even dare to say that any of those was artistic in the slightest. I never for one second considered myself competent with a camera. By the time I’d completed my first class, I was so inspired, I asked for a DSLR for my birthday.

Because I have been taking classes non-stop for the last 14 months, I have developed a large body of work over that time. I can’t say that I’ve ever accomplished this in any other medium I’ve every worked in. I think I owe it to not only  to my phenomenal teacher, Vivienne McMaster, but also to ease and accessibility photography offers. No matter how cruddy I might be feeling on any given day, chances are I can still manage to pick up my camera and shoot something worth keeping.

Last week, another artist friend, Jenn, emailed me to let me know a call had gone out for artists who live with a disability. The show is called Dispelling the Myths: Disability & Art and celebrates Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion 25th Anniversary by featuring the artistic expression and achievement of artists with disabilities, through visual art, film and performances.

It’s never an easy thing to put yourself and your art out there, but with some encouragement from Jenn, I did it. Yesterday, I received an email from the curator and I am really pleased to share that my work was accepted! This will be my first gallery show in Canada as well as the first time I’ve shown my photography so I’m really excited. (And a bit nervous!) Making the decision about what images I wanted to submit for consideration was really hard, but I
went with what felt right and I think it’s a good representation of the work I’ve been doing over the last 14 months.

Four and a half years ago, when I lost all the feeling in my hands, I thought my artistic life was over. The thing is, despite the fact that at the time my hands were useless, I still woke up in the morning thinking about making art and I’d go to bed at night thinking about making art. The core of who I am didn’t change and it refused to be denied. It took some time to adjust (which admittedly wasn’t easy) but I found a way to move forward. Choosing to do so led
me to this moment in time where I am actually going to get to see my work hanging in a real gallery. I’m thrilled that I get to check this off my life’s to-do list in May.

I am telling you all this because no matter what you are going through, I want to encourage you to never give up on your dreams. It’s one of the things I feel most strongly about in dealing with this disease. Yes, MS is going to have an impact on your life and maybe put a crimp in the plans you had, but that only calls you to be more creative about how you go about accomplishing the things that matter to you and if it REALLY matters, you’ll find a way.

~Lelainia N. Lloyd

I was recently lacking inspiration for a blog article so naturally I turned to my friends for some help. I was interested to know what they wanted to know about MS and what questions they had. After some sorting, I have decided to answer two of my friends’ inquiries.

The first inquiry was: “what have you found that relieves some of your symptoms.” My symptoms are exacerbated by heat, fatigue and stress. So I try very hard to get as much sleep as I can, which can pose somewhat difficult as I also suffer from insomnia. I try to keep my life as stress free as possible, which we all know is a losing battle. However, I try not to sweat the small stuff.  In regards to heat, I stay out of places that are too warm, can cause me to overheat,
and definitely the sun in the summer. Unfortunately, I am unable to have more than a lukewarm bath or shower. Hot tubs are definitely not an option for me either. These are all small sacrifices to make in order to keep MS in check. I also cannot forget to mention that my treatment protocol, Tysabri, is a huge
factor in keeping my symptoms in check. When all of these things work together I can appear as almost a normal 26 year old! Almost!

The second inquiry was: “what’s the best thing to do when you are really feeling low.” I like escapism. I will read an engaging book, write, or listen to some upbeat music on my iPod. I try to pull myself out of the low moods. I try to always remember that I am fortunate. I have many blessings in my life. There are some in this world who are not as fortunate or do not have the support systems they need in this life. MS is simply a part of me, it certainly doesn’t define me nor will a really low mood. I may have a larger cross to bear in this lifetime but I will conquer my dreams! It may just take a little longer than anticipated!

– Loribelle

Ok maybe not 50, but in the last 2 years I feel like my body has aged drastically.  Only now (April) do I finally feel I’m getting back to my “old self”.
Let me be clear that my “old self” is not who I was 8 years ago, but who I was 2 years ago before I started having a monthly regular attack.  My definition of “normal” has changed, and I’m not even sure I have a definition anymore?! Oh the joys!

However, one thing is certain; these last 8 years of my life have taught me more about myself than I ever thought possible. I have faced things with MS that I never thought I was capable of handling and have come out on top.  I have realized who my true friends are and I have realized that you never can tell what’s on the surface of someone. Over the course of these 8 years I have changed big parts of my life; “diet/exercise/social/aspects/volunteer/friendships/work”.  A wise woman (my mom) once told me “you’re not giving IN TO the disease, you’re finally learning how to take control of it”- she is my inspiration and she always has something wise to say to pick me up when I fall.

Now I know how it’s possible that these 8 years have flown by … my support has never turned their back on me, and have been there every step of the way ….

Hi I am Amanda and this is my bloggg

THE WEATHER IS GETTING BETTER!!!!!! This means two things: symptoms caused by unbearable heat AND CAMP!!!!!!!!!

So hi everyone!  I have been MIA for awhile for many reasons (thankfully none of which are health related) but all of that you will definitely hear about (and if you are in Toronto and reading this perhaps you can even catch the plays I am involved with? Lol) later, today I gotta talk about my favourite week of summer: MS CAMP!!

You are probably thinking “MS camp? Lame.” If this is what you are thinking I guarantee you are not only wrong, but maybe also a little bit confuzzled, because MS Camp is actually the best. It is so amazing that I become this inarticulate pre-teen when describing it.

This is how I see it, when you go to camp you can just be. You can meet a bunch of people who know EXACTLY what you are going through. My friends from camp know me. They know me better than some people I have known for years and most of them I can only see at camp. They understand your frustration and your angst and your rage towards MS because they have it too, and the best part is you never have to talk about it if you don’t want to. You can just have fun, without feeling like you are misunderstood if halfway through an activity you are just too tired to continue.

Did I mention I will be there? Usually you can find me laughing or singing or being my crazy self…and I literally can’t stop smiling for an entire week-heck I barely sleep when I am there because I just want to absorb every moment!!

So ok now you might be thinking, “Ok maybe it is an experience that is worth it but Amanda you are way too positive for me to believe you 100%”…well you don’t have to but what have you got to lose? You have already visited this site and I am sure you are at least curious right? Because camp is supposed to be for kids…but this camp is for teens too.

I made the mistake of not going in the first year they organized camp, and I super regret it because I missed out, big time. Some campers are younger, but most are the exact age of our readers on someonelikeme, and considering I have religiously stalked the chat feed on this site, I get the vibe that you would enjoy this place.

Other reasons why you should come to camp:

• IT’S FREE
• We have campers who come from all over the world (last year I met some cool peeps from Germany and Scotland who both have MS, lest we forget my roomie for the week who is from and works for the MS Society in Italy)
• They have all the activities you could want from camp-and they are accessible (even sailing!!)
• For a week you will have all your meds brought to you, and be notified when you have to have your MS meds (be it a needle or pill)…so basically they keep track of your meds for you for a week
• Did I mention it’s free?

So hopefully your last question now is, “Ok Amanda I get the picture, this is something I should look into…how the heck do I do that?” Well my friends I have thought of everything…just click on this link: www.mssociety.ca/en/help/camp.htm

And as for the icky symptoms caused by the heat? I am afraid I can’t help you there…but I can offer you something to look forward to and some company for a week (I give really good hugs lol).

So if you haven’t guessed yet I am trying to entice you to sign up, maybe we need the link again: www.mssociety.ca/en/help/camp.htm …and if you aren’t sold hopefully my campers are reading this and will like this post or post a response to change your mind.

Hoping to see you at camp this year!!

Stay tuned for future updates about why I disappeared for a bit

Recently, I attended the annual general meeting for the Lower Mainland Chapter of the MS Society in BC. Part of the meeting included an education series and I had the pleasure of hearing MS research scientist, Dr. Helen Tremlett speak about her work.

During Dr. Temlett’s studies, she received training about which drugs would treat which illnesses. When they covered MS, the instructor said that there weren’t any drugs (at the time) and they didn’t know how to treat it. This piqued her interested and she wanted to know why this was. Her curiosity led her to pursue a career as an MS researcher.

Dr. Tremlett came to Canada from the UK after receiving a research grant from the MS Society of Canada. When she left England, she told her mother she’d be gone for a year-that was 11 years ago. Today she has a research team of 18 people working under her direction at the University of British Columbia. Her team is made up of the best and brightest minds from around the world, including countries like Iran, India, Taiwan and her work is now fully funded by the government of Canada.

I wish everyone with MS could hear Dr. Tremlett speak about the research she and her team are doing. She is warm, funny and extremely passionate and excited about the work she is doing. I think it’s uplifting and inspiring to know we’re not alone in fighting this disease. There are amazing individuals in laboratories all across Canada who have dedicated their lives towards not just finding a cure, but also working hard in the meantime to improve the lives of those of us who live with MS. I for one am deeply grateful.