'The Art of Living With MS' Workshop

This weekend (Fri-Sat March 3-4) my wife and I attended the 'Living with MS' Seminar at the Marriott East in Louisville, Kentucky. The workshop was designed for those with MS and their caregivers. It was a remarkable experience. The sessions were interactive and much sharing was done those attending. It was a very nice (and different) experience for me to be around many others like myself. Sharing was very significant for both myself, as a person with MS, and my caregiver, my wife. One breakout session involved splitting up in two groups, one group being those with MS, with the other group activities focusing on the special needs/problems of the caregiver. It seems as if too often the caregiver focuses so much attention on the person with MS, that they might forget to take care if themselves.

The presenters of the 'Art of Living with MS' Seminar were Cheryl and Len Chatman, a married couple from Jacksonville Florida, with a first hand knowledge of the experience of dealing with MS and the many problems associated with the disease. Cheryl Chatman was diagnosed with MS while Len was a career sailor in the US Navy. He was forced to leave his position in order to become a caregiver, losing all semblance of financial stability, including both their car and house. He has had to reorient his career goals and has done so very admirably. Cheryl is legally blind due to her MS and experiences many other problems which we all face. They present a very positive and upbeat approach which aims at looking at the new possibilities which may be in front of those diagnosed with such a debilitating disease. They help other couples to share experiences, thereby focusing on the attitude that 'MS does not have us, rather we have MS'.

Cheryl Chatman on a trial Sewgay run. Yes, she is legally blind, seeing only vague shapes and shadows. When asked if she wanted to give it a try, she immediately got on and after a few short instructions, began to move about. She showed no fear whatsoever and even attempted to move out of the doorway and into the hallway. Her determination clearly showed. She is a real fighter.

"You cannot be Pitiful and Powerful at the same time."

Cheryl Chatman