My political leanings aside, I give Ann Romney a lot of credit for opening up about her struggles with multiple sclerosis. Her voice is one that desperately needs to be heard: Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with MS, but there is no famous female spokesperson for the wasting illness, no ubiquitous pink ribbon to remember its victims. Not only is Romney finally bringing much-needed attention to what is increasingly being considered a women's disease, she's setting a great example for patients everywhere with her fighting spirit. (For a woman who was once confined to a wheelchair, the mother-of-5 has managed to stay impressively active -- particularly through her involvement with the form of horseback riding known as dressage.)
So now that MS is in the spotlight, what can we learn about it? Why IS it a "women's disease," anyway?
Well, experts aren't completely sure, but research suggests a genetic difference between males and females may be the cause. For example, one study found that women with MS were more likely to have a variation of a gene that produces high levels of a protein which can "aggravate MS by promoting inflammation and tissue damage." The same genetic variation could help to explain why women are more susceptible to other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis as well.
If you're anything like me, a quick glance at the symptoms (which include fatigue, problems thinking clearly, blurred vision and lack of coordination) is enough to send you into a panic: Oh my god, I have all of those!!! But don't freak out. Most people with MS, which targets the central nervous system, find ways to cope and learn to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
And hopefully, as the public pays more attention to MS (and women with MS in particular), there'll be more research done and more effective treatments developed -- maybe even a cure!
Do you think Ann Romney's public struggle with MS will lead to more research?
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Comments 6
When will you post Larence Odonnell's nasty words on her treatments??? Or how nasty he about her disease???
It's like this,.,.
Ann Romney (bless her heart, sincerely) has MS.
THOUSANDS of people are finding true relief from medical cannabis to treat their MS, they are able to get off strong prescription narcotics as a result in many cases, which is ALWAYS a good thing.
Mitt was in Denver last month when he was asked by a reporter (Colorado has been getting beat up by the Feds over Medical cannabis) what HIS thought were on medical cannabis (totally fair question).
Mitt Romney smirked into the camera and said 'Medical marijuana? Don't you have anything of importance to talk about instead'? Then he ended the interview, climbed into a big SUV and drove off via entourage.
So, Ann Romney has MS.. Don't we have anything important to talk about instead?
If she becomes First Lady, I hope that this will be one of her "causes" (much like Mrs. Obama's "Let's Move" and Mrs. Bush's Literacy Campaign). She will have a tremendous ability to bring awareness to the disease, and I hope it spurs more research. A close friend of mine has it, and she always impresses me with her grace and humor in the face of the trials it puts her through.
And Chas... in a way, Mr. Romney is correct. As much as Medical Marijuana might help his wife and others, the Big Deals right now are the atrocious economy and the ongoing assault on the Constitution. Discussing anything else and ignoring those two issues is idiotic and a waste of time. Once the economy is humming again, and once respect and adherence to the Constitution are restored, then we can talk about other issues.