*While some of the fun others experience from an Irish summer can be lost on us, there is no reason people with multiple sclerosis can’t enjoy a good summer read *
A dip in the cold sea, the sting of salt & vinegar from chips in a newly-cut finger (likely from climbing on rocks or rusty old nails in pilings), a trod through the mud at one festival or another… summer in Ireland can be a magical thing. Multiple Sclerosis may take us out of the running for a busy day at the races or a trek up mount fill-in-the-name, but it doesn’t have to stop us from the age-old summer pastime of a good read.
In fact, there are a good few titles worth reading (or listening to, via audio book) out this year. The August weekend may have passed but for the second summer running we’re having a nice, long, warm one. Let’s talk about books with an MS topic worth searching out for your summer reading (or listening) pleasure.
Strong in Broken Places – by Richard M Cohen
This is Mr. Cohen’s second book after the bestselling “reluctant memoir” Blindsided. Well worth the read – particularly for men living with multiple sclerosis. Cohen not only has MS but has battled colon cancer. He’s a former American television producer and the wife of a well-known US news presenter.
Awkward Bitch: My Life with MS – by Marlo Donato Parmelee
I’ve not read this book myself but have had nothing but rave reviews on the Life with MS Facebook page. Young, fashionable and living with MS in a way that only a girl called Marlo can do; or so I’m told…
Mrs McKeiver's Secrets – by Margaret Morgan
A novel about a remarkable midwife – Mrs McKeiver – who struggles to balance her many responsibilities whilst keeping a terrible secret (yup, she has MS in the 18th century English countryside) from causing a scandal in her village.
MS and Your Feelings; Handling the Ups and Downs of Multiple Sclerosis – by Allison Shadday
This is my go-to resource book about MS and emotional issues. It’s one that I have read, re-read and then thumb through when looking for a particular answers. Easy to pick up and put down as you need/want. A must read for people living with MS (and HIGHLY recommended for our families as well).
Fall Down Laughing; How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody – by David Lander
For fans of the 1970’s TV hit, Lavern & Shirley, actor David Lander will forever be “Squiggy”. His many other acting roles as well as his work as a scout for American professional baseball – all while living with MS – makes for an interesting and fun (yes, I said it; “Fun”) summer read.
Speedbumps; Flooring it Though Hollywood– by Teri Garr
Young Frankenstein, Mr. Mom, Close Encounters of the Third Kind… All Hollywood blockbusters with this actress’s name attached. Speedbumps is a book that looks at the good and the bad times Ms Garr had while trying to hide her MS in the world of perfect figures, perfect faces and perfect everything; Hollywood.
I’ve missed scores of other titles which have to do with MS in one way or another. Perhaps we’ll make this an annual topic as we head into the warmth and long evenings of each Irish summer.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers
Trevis
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