LeeAnne Reflects on MS and Aging
Occasionally I find my mind revisiting my early years. This is one of those times.
I was young, active and full of life. Fortunately for my parents I was easy to raise. At least, I thought I was.
I ran around with a good crowd, I made good grades, I was never even tempted to smoke, drink or do drugs, and I never got in trouble with the law. That's probably a result of my religious background, which I'm very thankful for.
I'm not what you would call particularly gorgeous. I look okay – nothing to write home about. I was blessed with nice hair, big eyes and a huge smile with great teeth – sounds like I'm describing a horse, doesn't it? I’ve aged pretty well, if I do say so myself. At least that's what people tell me.
I guess I'm a low maintenance woman as far as hair and makeup go. I can no longer do my hair and makeup thanks to MS. My sweet husband does it for me.
He teaches art at a middle school/high school. His students know about my situation, and the girls in his class gave him instructions on how to do my makeup. Keep in mind that these girls are 16 years old. That alone makes it pretty humorous.
He does a good job. I have learned to resign myself to sitting patiently as I become his canvas.
'Grey hair is the least of my problems'
Thanks to MS chemo treatment I can no longer dye my hair. My scalp is too tender. It's not so bad, though. The way I look at it is very simple. I am in a wheelchair, my husband has to feed me and I use a mobility van to get around. I'm totally dependent on others – grey hair is the least of my problems. If people don't like what they see, they don't have to look.
People’s reactions differ as far as how they perceive me. Some are really kind and helpful. Others avoid me as if I were contagious. Some stare at me. I purposely meet their stares with a huge smile and a pleasant word or two. That almost always gets a pleasant response.
