Michelle

Michelle describes herself as Humble, humor, reserved, sensitive, caring. She is divorced, the mother of a sixteen-year-old son she adopted, and an accountant not working to full potential do to my illness, multiple sclerosis, which she has lived with for twenty-two years. She has a cat, a dog and fish, loves puzzles, and is Very close to family. A lower-middle-class childhood taught her that hard work and personal accountability are extremely important. It also left her cautious: I am on guard and worry about stability.

She sums up what the illness touches in three short clauses: It effects everything. Career, had to leave sooner then I wanted to . Relationship, tired a lot so hard to maintain, Walk with a limb. Then, at once: But having said all that, I do the best I can and try to laugh snd make others laugh. She cares for her son, her parents, her pets and herself, because I have no other choice but to, and explains the science of her humor: laughter releases those happy brain chemicals (whatever they are called lol) which then makes my MS more tolerable. One reading is that her humor is not a cover for the illness but one of the ways she manages it, alongside a careful budget of energy.

Asked which moments defined her, she first wrote two words: Most things. Then she named three. A sister born when she was seven, which taught her Love for others. A bachelor’s degree finished while working full time: All things are possible with hard work, though she adds that she did not maintain friendship very well. And the one she says she should have listed first: Adoption of my son. Such a beautiful moment. He continues to be my hero.

Her food words are Average, easy, simple, fun, what my son likes. Breakfast is a protein bar, like a chocolate candy bar in the mornings; the rest is the easier the better, and she buys mostly for a teenager who never stops eating lol. Her family heritage is Italian, she loves olives, and ironically don’t like pasta so much especially with sauce. Felt like that’s all we ate growing up. She orders groceries online for pickup. She names plainly what illness does to a diet: healthy eating is very hard to stick to when you have chronic illness. Energy and money is lacking when you have a disease. On animals raised for food, she is honest: I guess I burry me head regarding it all.

Her superpower is Over Thinking ,over analyzing: ultimately it helps relaxing me knowing I have thought of every possible outcome. Under pressure she will Panic short while then calm and analyze the situation. Her gratitude list is a small poem: My son: my heart My family: also my heart Good friends :advice love fun My house: Security Pets: unconditionally love. Her 2 a.m. person is her mom: love , support, advice.

On Day 5 she wants to eat healthy to build strength etc for the reasons of my MS, and because watching her parents with their doctors is a real eye opener. What she needs is A can do attitude. What stands in the way is Energy, funds, and Neither are really in my control at this time. Help would be Funds, I guess help shopping. Her letter to herself was a recording, so it is not reproduced here.