MSA Awareness

As many of you know, Dennis died of a rare neurological disorder called Multiple System Atrophy. This disease is considered an orphan disease, meaning it is so rare that it affects too few people to be given much thought by the medical community, politicians, and funding for research.

However, currently there is a petition that you can sign that only asks that MSA be brought to the attention of others. I would be very appreciative if you would take a few minutes to sign this petition. Signing it will not bring new information to your inbox (unless you choose it to do so) and will do you no harm. It may, just may however, bring MSA the attention it is due.

MSA Awareness Petition

A Painting for Dennis

A while before Dennis died, I started painting a series of paintings using symbols that promoted good health. This was the last one I painted.

I am an abstract artist, so this may not be your cup of tea. But Dennis liked it and I loved it.

It is Dennis (on the right) yelling at his brain (the big head shaped thing - he did have a big head) to start working the way it was suppose to work. The angel is because we both knew all the yelling, anger and frustration in the whole wide world would not change the outcome. Dennis was dying and we knew it.

Those last years of care-giving were difficult at the best of times. But I was proud of the way both of us handled Dennis' impending death. We fought like hell to make life as good as possible. We also learned to accept the inevitable with grace and honesty. We spoke, cried and yelled our anger out, especially during the last 6 months.

Ann