Michelle Obama: Her Father's MS

cheerleader · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: Michelle Obama: Her Father's MS

It was incredibly moving to listen to Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic national convention last night. She described how her father was diagnosed with MS in his thirties, and how he struggled, everyday, to get up and get to his job as a blue collar employee at the local water plant. He ultimately died too young, from complications of MS- but remains an inspiration to his daughter. He taught her and her brother the value of hard work in the face of adversity, and the need for hope.

For those who missed it: Scroll down to watch video-
Michelle Obama's speech

hopefully,
AC
_________________
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

HUTTO · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject:

nice find. im not a big obamma fan but this is interesting. its also very interesting that if mcain picks romney for his vp then that means both parties have a direct relationship to ms. thats crazy. romney's wife has it. maybe this is more prevalent then what they think..

Loobie · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject:

Maybe we'll get some serious NIH $$$ and get this damn thing figured out!
_________________
http://myhopefuljourneyintoactualmsrecovery.blogspot.com

notasperfectasyou · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject: no politics here in DC

I saw the speech. I think MS is important to her. Regardless of who gets elected, I'd like to see more attention on MS. I realize that we will not get a full press push like we had for polio, but wouldn't it be great to have a government that wanted to cure MS.

What struck me was the importance of MS to her. She didn't gloss over it. MS is a part of her life that can't ever be taken away. For all of us here like me, it's helpful to be reminded that you don't have to be the one taking the drugs to experience MS.

I hope this doesn't just fade away like old newspapers..........
_________________
My Starting Point
Understanding MS 101: Doctor Talk and People Talk<br /><br />

cheerleader · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: no politics here in DC

Lyon · Family Elder Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 4755

Thanks for the link to the video AC.

I AM an Obama supporter and hadn't paid much attention to his wife, but now that I've seen this video I almost wish it was Michelle who was running for prez!

I'm not convinced how much influence a relative with MS is really going to have in the big picture..........not trying to be negative but realistic.

Something similar had already happened in recent years and in retrospect, it had the total impact of a fart in a hurricane. If you remember, George senior's wife was diagnosed with either Grave's or Hashimoto's (both thyroid autoimmune) and if that made a big difference in thyroid research, I didn't notice.

Bob

rainer · Family Elder Joined: Jan 18, 2008 Posts: 264

very poetic, Bob Rolling Eyes

Some counter examples: Nancy Reagan and Jack Danforth. Both pro stem-cell Republicans, both personally witnessed a family member afflicted with a neurological disease.

Lyon · Family Elder Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 4755

Sorry rainer, I didn't mean to imply that the relatives and people directed affected would lose interest in the cause, but my meaning was that it's near impossible to get and keep the attention of the general public to the point that they will also accept something as "their" cause..........until it affects them or someone they love.

Bob

Lars · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject:

Bob,
I agree that MS may not become the cause Obama's administration will become known for but I am hoping that health care reform will be.
GObama
Be Well,
Lars

Lyon · Family Elder Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 4755

robbie · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject:

they say that the cost of 7 months in Irac would pay health care for everyone.
_________________
Your never as good as you think you are and never as bad as you think you are

Lyon · Family Elder Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 4755

NHE · Volunteer Moderator Joined: Nov 21, 2004 Posts: 1221

For an intelligent and informative discussion of healthcare reform, you may be interested in watching the PBS Frontline documentary "Sick Around the World." It discusses how several other countries have dealt with the healthcare issue and how their solutions are working out (or not).

NHE

cheerleader · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that link, NHE. Looks like an interesting program. From just reading the introduction page, I learned something.
The one thing in common with the five countries profiled: the UK, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and Taiwan- all capitalist democracies- was that health insurance companies can not make a PROFIT from covering people. US insurance companies have made corporate profit job one....

America needs to decide what our priorities are. Robbie's right....we've chosen to prop up foreign oil and corporations over taking care of our own citizens. Shame on us.
AC
_________________
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

rainer · Family Elder Joined: Jan 18, 2008 Posts: 264