This morning was Open Music Class at my four-year-old daughter’s school. I walked into the class five minutes late, holding my daughter’s hand on my left and my cell on my right, thinking I’d text or tweet if it should get boring. To my surprise, I walked in to find all the parents and kids organized in a circle, taking turns coming up with some bodily motion like clapping their hands or tapping their shoulders that the rest of the circle could repeat to the sound of the beat. After that, the music teacher...
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Someone posted this photo on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Facebook page yesterday. I don’t know who created it or who published it. Aesthetically, it’s a beautiful image. As a professional photographer for the last ten years, I admire the skillful lighting and the woman’s naked fetal-position pose to express her vulnerability. But note the writing at the bottom, that reads “When you have Multiple Sclerosis you never know what will expire next.” All over the woman’s body are stamps that say “use by”. Really? Because I almost cannot believe anyone would spend their...
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It’s not your fault, but you are responsible. You’re not to blame, but you are responsible. Don’t be ashamed. Do be responsible. Sometimes people think I’m blaming them for being sick. They are mistaken. I don’t assign blame but I do require responsibility. There is no position more empowering than taking responsibility for your life and your illness. It’s the first step in getting well. When you play the victim role, you have no control. If you’re a victim, things can only happen to you. When you take responsibility, you literally become response-able. You...
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