My journey with Multiple
Sclerosis
began in the late 70's and I was
diagnosed in 1985
when I was almost 36.
I am now (July 25, 2000)
savoring the last days of
the blessing of being 50.
Challenged by Multiple
Sclerosis
FACE THE CHALLENGE
Help
Find A Cure
A Journey - Facing The Challenge
This is a journey I share with you
of a challenge I face, from my point of view
and it may not be the way you see
how Multiple Sclerosis has challenged me.
Nevertheless, this is how it is
as I journey on and daily live
taking charge as best I can
of the life I live, held in God's hands.
I hope somehow that my sharing with you
will light a candle that is daily renewed
adding brightness along the way
as you live your life from day to day,
and I hope as well that you'll echo my prayer
that healing will grow for folks everywhere
who face the Challenge of Multiple Sclerosis
whether family, or friends, or those with diagnosis;
and let's ask God to bless all caregivers too
who enrich our lives in any way they do,
the doctors, nurses and all medical staff
as they do their best whenever they're asked,
for on this journey as my life touches yours
no one knows for certain what's held in store,
so as I share my life with you
I pray you'll find blessings in the Light of my view.
----------------------------------
Written for all those who read this poem.
(c) Viola Doncaster, East Bay, CB, NS
April 24, 1998.
God has blessed me with the care
of very special Doctors.
Dr Carol Critchley is the wonderful family Doctor
who attends to my regular care.
Doctor Elwood MacMullin is an IMS/Surgeon
who has attended me when necessary.
and Dr. Jock Murray is the MS specialist
who attended me for about 20 years
at the MS Clinic in Halifax, NS.
I now see Dr. Maharaj at the
MS Clinic in the CB Regional Hosp.
Writing. . . And MS
People have often asked me when and how I started writing.
The more I hear stories about my father's love of writing poems, songs,
plays and stories for activities at the Lyceum in Sydney - while he was a
member of the A.O.H. - I believe that heredity has most certainly played a
part in my love for writing. Encouragement from some excellent english
teachers in school also helped lay the foundation that would
lead me to take pen in hand when I was faced with the diagnosis of MS.
Writing has been a gift for me in "Facing the Challenges" that Multiple
Sclerosis has brought into my life.
How does one cope with such a challenge? In looking back over the
years I can see that writing has led me on a journey of growth, sharing,
and healing. Perhaps some of the early thoughts and poems that I wrote -
at times when I could do little more than rest and pray - will
give you an idea of the support I found in the roots of my
faith. May my sharing enrich your life in some way.
Early Thoughts
In June 1993, when I was having less problems with the
MS, I was challenged with a "Bout of Gout". After I had spent a week or
more in bed our daughter Andrea drove me down Blarney Road - a road that
was originally developed by my father - to the shore of the Bras d'Or
Lakes. While sitting on a rock and soaking my feet in the "cool" salt
water I was inspired to write the following poem.
The Master Sculptor
All things can work together for your good
if you but trust the One who humbly stood,
beneath a cross that brought him to His knees,
wherein He found new strength, to rise for you and me.
Jesus led the way for others yet to come,
who in suffering would say, "Thy will be done".
The Master Sculptor chooses forms so like His own,
knowing well His Glory can be shown.
His Mother Mary stood so closely by His side,
her suffering can never be denied,
for though she dearly loved this chosen Son,
she was powerless to change what had been done.
The Master Sculptor chose this Lady too
and gave her strength to show her love was true,
so that we might know the crosses that we share
are no greater than the one she had to bear.
God is the Master Sculptor of us all.
He reaches out to lift us when we fall.
Carefully He weighed each trial we face
and immersed it in His Precious Gift of Grace.
-------------------------
Christians have cause to rejoice, because Jesus showed us that beyond
the cross there is a resurrection. Daily we can find new meaning in life
through Jesus Christ.
(c) Viola Doncaster, East Bay, Cape
Breton, 1993.
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