May is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

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Untitled design (2)

 

This Mother’s Day weekend think of offering a bouquet of carnations – the symbol for Multiple Sclerosis – to your mother in support of raising awareness of MS, a disease which changes the lives of young people affected by it – In general, it strikes people who are between 15 and 40 years old.

 The video below shows what happens in the central nervous system when a person has multiple sclerosis.

  What Is MS?

Felicity Starr, the protagonist of my latest novel – Not By Design – develops MS. Like many other writers, I like to give the reader a bit of information as well as entertainment so that they come away with a feeling that they’ve learned something and had some fun as well. In Not By Design I look at  the effects that this complex disease can have on family, friends and the person suffering from MS.

In honor of raising MS awareness I am offering Not By Design at 99 cents (US) during the month of May. 

NOT BY DESIGN (1)

Click here to buy

Sources used in this post:

http://mssoc.convio.net/site/TR/MiscEvents/DivisionduQubec?pg=entry&fr_id=5302&s_locale=en_CA

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KGzsriXqg6U

46 thoughts on “May is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month”

  1. Your book with this main character, Felicity Starr, getting symptoms of MS is so fascinating. I have known one young woman and an older lady who developed the symptoms. I will definitely remember to get some carnations which I have an affinity for them from all the high school dances, preferring carnations over roses. They last longer and I think they have a spicy scent to them.
    Carol, have a lovely Mother’s Day, dear. ❤
    PS~ Of course, in the Autumn, I prefer mums!

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  2. I’m glad you’re calling attention to MS, Carol. The fact is, we don’t know enough about it (I mean science doesn’t). The more awareness, the more research and work there’ll hopefully be. And the more public awareness, the more support those with MS will get. I like it that you’ve added that as a character layer.

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  4. Carol, I had no idea it was MS awareness month nor that carnations were its symbol. Thank you for this post, thoughtful and considered. My aunt has had MS for as long as I’ve known but what strikes me most about her is her indefatigable spirit, involved in so many charities and church events. I feel humbled in her presence.

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    • What a lovely comment, Annika. I’m glad that you learned something from my post and thank you so much for taking the time to be here and comment. It’s so very much appreciated. My experience with people who have MS has always amazed me. They are resilient and have such a positive attitude. It is indeed humbling to be in their presence. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂

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  8. What a wonderful and thoughtful gift for 99c, Carol. It’s fantastic that you are bringing awareness to this disease. I’m one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have the debilitating symptoms (yet – touch wood). Have a fabulous Mother’s Day weekend xxx

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  9. What a wonderful reminder of a number of things. MS is a difficult disease. I know several women who live with it successfully (so far) thanks to medication and support from friends and family. I’ve just downloaded your new book Not by Design – thanks for the gift. Great Mother’s Day reading. Happy Mother’s Day to YOU.

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  10. I didn’t know the carnation was the MS symbol. Like you said, it’s important that we also learn something when reading a book, aside from enjoying ourselves. Personally I am looking forward to discovering how Felicity handles this new challenge (yes, I’m taking advantage of your generous offer, it’s a beautiful gesture and I hope it raises awareness). Have a beautiful weekend! 🙂

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    • Thank you so very much Ana for downloading the book and I hope that you enjoy it. Since you’ve already read Getting To Mr. Right, you’ll be able to see Felicity’s evolution. I hope that you enjoy it.
      Have a beautiful weekend as well, Ana! ❤

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      • I was thinking of saving this one for the beach, but it was not meant to be 🙂 . I was in the mood for something lighter and relaxing a few days ago and Not By Design was a great choice. I loved to see Felicity grow into such a strong, beautiful, independent woman, who manages to find a way of coping both with MS and with all the disappointment life throws at her. That’s why I was thinking of posting the my reviews for Getting to Mr Right and Not By Design on my blog as well, not only on Amazon. Let me know if that’s ok with you. Have a nice weekend 🙂 .

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    • Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this. She was much too young to leave this world but MS is a young person’s disease. Have you posted about your sister or MS on your blog?
      Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for letting me discover your blog. 🙂

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      • I have. I started this blog just weeks after she died in 2012. Took a 2 year pause, then resumed in 2014. Digging into old family photos for her children inspired me to start transferring some old writings to WP, to save for my own family. Thanks for asking. 💖

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  13. I am loving this book Carol. I’m half way through and love Felicity’s character. Her demise in the first half of the book in her relationship with Marco has made me want to smack him in the head! Like I said, I’m only half through the book, and I am hoping that her move back home will help ease the symptoms of this debilitating disease, as well as make the drugs more affordable. I am also hoping she doesn’t go back to the selfish Marco, and grows from learning that all vows are important in a marriage – specifically – ‘In sickness and health’. She needs empowerment and to find unconditional love. 🙂

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  15. What a lovely idea–sending carnations and offering your book at a discount–all for a good cause. Two of my cousins (one male, one female) and an ex-boyfriend all have MS and have had it for a very long time (20+ years for two of them). One thing I’ve learned through them is that MS can be very different per individual. My ex and one of my cousins were diagnosed about the same time; yet, one is now bound to a wheelchair, the other still quite ambulatory. There is still so little understood about this disorder. Thank you, Carol, for throwing a light upon it.

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    • Thank you for sharing this information. I knew very little about MS when I started writing this book. Part of my research was being in contact with those who have MS and I very quickly discovered, as you mentioned, how each one goes through the disease differently. Although I still have plenty to learn about this disease I am very happy to share what i learned while writing this book. It was really an eye-opener for me.
      Thank you for reading my blog post and taking the time to comment. I greatly appreciate it. 🙂

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    • I can’t imagine how devastating learning you have MS must be. What’s wonderful is that there are a lot of courageous and success stories by those battling MS. If my book can help in any way, I’ll be very grateful.
      Thanks for stopping by, Margaret, and commenting. Your presence is always appreciated! 🙂

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