Showing posts with label overcome obstacles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label overcome obstacles. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sister Kenny, Minnesota
There is something to be said about not being able to use your legs properly. This was the case for me recently and I ended up staying, for 10 days, at Sister Kenny Rehab Institute in Minnesota. They are well known for their rehabilitation regime and it worked for me. With the use of botox shots in my leg and some good physical and occupational therapy I am back home. My leg is still giving me a little trouble but there continues to be physical therapy at home and I know that I will be able to 'achieve' again.
Monday, June 16, 2008
MS Can't Stop Bodybuilder
MS can't stop bodybuilder
Aiming for berth at world championships
By KIRK PENTON
Felstead, who suffers from MS, will compete in his third Canadian Bodybuilding Federation world qualifier. BRIAN DONOGH/SUN MEDIA
When you look at that picture of bodybuilder Brent Felstead, one of the last things that would pop into your mind is multiple sclerosis.
He's ripped. He's athletic. He's healthy.
He has MS.
"That's partly why I don't mind sharing the story," the 42-year-old Ottawa native said yesterday. "Hopefully other people get the hint. There's lots of people out there who come to me and say, 'Once I got diagnosed I basically gave up on everything.' That does not have to be the case. I haven't given up anything."
He certainly has not. In fact, he will compete in his third Canadian Bodybuilding Federation world qualifier tomorrow at Winnipeg's Prairie Exchange Theatre. The top finisher in each weight class will earn a berth in the world championships in Bahrain this November.
If Felstead can win his division tomorrow, it would cap a remarkable comeback that started the day he was diagnosed: Oct. 29, 1999.
"That was probably the scariest portion of my life," he said. "At that time I was almost completely paralysed in my right leg. I was partially blind in my left eye, and I lost almost all the feeling through my torso."
Felstead, who started bodybuilding in 1995, stopped training for only two weeks after being diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, which is the most common form of the disease. Between 2000 and 2003 he had one or two attacks a year, but they would sometimes last for months and often wiped away the muscle in the affected areas of his body.
To make sure his recovery from an attack was consistent, he would, for instance, work out his afflicted right leg as much as he could and then do the same number of reps with his healthy left.
The attacks, however, started striking with more frequency in 2004. In addition, his job with the Department of National Defence became more hectic. He had less time to work out, and it was taking a toll on his body.
"Basically I was losing ground," he said. "I was down to 160 pounds and was not nearly as muscular as I had been."
Then, in 2006, he made a decision that changed everything. He switched medication, injecting himself with Rebif three times a week, and hasn't suffered an attack since. So instead of having to constantly rebuild his muscles, he's been able to shape them for competitions like tomorrow's national championship.
More importantly, it's kept him in tremendous shape while battling a disease that can be debilitating if you allow it.
"By constantly challenging myself, by making myself do these competitions, I'm constantly making it essential for me to keep up that level of training," he said.
The physical effects Felstead experiences these days are a slight limp, and constant pain and numbness in his left hand. When his opponents see him limp, they ask him how he hurt himself training. Their initial reaction is disbelief when he tells them the truth.
To Felstead, it's just his life. He has a full-time job, two kids and a passion for bodybuilding.
"I don't allow it to limit me," he said. "That's always been my goal since diagnosis, to make sure that it interferes with your life as little as possible.
"I've done all right, and a lot of it is thanks to not giving up and keeping at it."
Aiming for berth at world championships
By KIRK PENTON
Felstead, who suffers from MS, will compete in his third Canadian Bodybuilding Federation world qualifier. BRIAN DONOGH/SUN MEDIA
When you look at that picture of bodybuilder Brent Felstead, one of the last things that would pop into your mind is multiple sclerosis.
He's ripped. He's athletic. He's healthy.
He has MS.
"That's partly why I don't mind sharing the story," the 42-year-old Ottawa native said yesterday. "Hopefully other people get the hint. There's lots of people out there who come to me and say, 'Once I got diagnosed I basically gave up on everything.' That does not have to be the case. I haven't given up anything."
He certainly has not. In fact, he will compete in his third Canadian Bodybuilding Federation world qualifier tomorrow at Winnipeg's Prairie Exchange Theatre. The top finisher in each weight class will earn a berth in the world championships in Bahrain this November.
If Felstead can win his division tomorrow, it would cap a remarkable comeback that started the day he was diagnosed: Oct. 29, 1999.
"That was probably the scariest portion of my life," he said. "At that time I was almost completely paralysed in my right leg. I was partially blind in my left eye, and I lost almost all the feeling through my torso."
Felstead, who started bodybuilding in 1995, stopped training for only two weeks after being diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, which is the most common form of the disease. Between 2000 and 2003 he had one or two attacks a year, but they would sometimes last for months and often wiped away the muscle in the affected areas of his body.
To make sure his recovery from an attack was consistent, he would, for instance, work out his afflicted right leg as much as he could and then do the same number of reps with his healthy left.
The attacks, however, started striking with more frequency in 2004. In addition, his job with the Department of National Defence became more hectic. He had less time to work out, and it was taking a toll on his body.
"Basically I was losing ground," he said. "I was down to 160 pounds and was not nearly as muscular as I had been."
Then, in 2006, he made a decision that changed everything. He switched medication, injecting himself with Rebif three times a week, and hasn't suffered an attack since. So instead of having to constantly rebuild his muscles, he's been able to shape them for competitions like tomorrow's national championship.
More importantly, it's kept him in tremendous shape while battling a disease that can be debilitating if you allow it.
"By constantly challenging myself, by making myself do these competitions, I'm constantly making it essential for me to keep up that level of training," he said.
The physical effects Felstead experiences these days are a slight limp, and constant pain and numbness in his left hand. When his opponents see him limp, they ask him how he hurt himself training. Their initial reaction is disbelief when he tells them the truth.
To Felstead, it's just his life. He has a full-time job, two kids and a passion for bodybuilding.
"I don't allow it to limit me," he said. "That's always been my goal since diagnosis, to make sure that it interferes with your life as little as possible.
"I've done all right, and a lot of it is thanks to not giving up and keeping at it."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Technology Plays A Critical Role In The Lives Of People With Multiple Sclerosis
Technology is available for persons with disabilities to be able to use the Internet, listen to books instead of read them, speak versus type, etc., etc., etc. Do what you can to reach out and become part of the online community.
Toni
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Few Use "Accessible Technology" To Overcome Disease-Related Challenges
According to a new survey of 2,390 Americans with MS, technology plays an important role in helping them live with the disease. But the survey also showed that relatively few people with MS use special tools known as "accessible technology"-such as alternative computer mice or voice-recognition software-that could help them overcome disease-related challenges.
Toni
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Few Use "Accessible Technology" To Overcome Disease-Related Challenges
According to a new survey of 2,390 Americans with MS, technology plays an important role in helping them live with the disease. But the survey also showed that relatively few people with MS use special tools known as "accessible technology"-such as alternative computer mice or voice-recognition software-that could help them overcome disease-related challenges.
Monday, January 21, 2008
New Machine May Help MS Patients With Mobility
This link shows a video of the man on the machine, an article, and information about a study that is looking for participants.
Toni
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New Machine May Help MS Patients With Mobility
One of the biggest effects a multiple sclerosis patient faces is loss of mobility. The machine that has helped him is called the Lokomat.
Toni
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New Machine May Help MS Patients With Mobility
One of the biggest effects a multiple sclerosis patient faces is loss of mobility. The machine that has helped him is called the Lokomat.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Altitude With Attidude - My Personal Achievement
It may seem impossible t0o you but if youhave a goal of accomplishing something BIG then I'd like to hear about it. There are so many things each individual has to overcome after being diagnosed with MS, but you can't let this disease take over your enrire life.
I always wanted to ge parasailing but figured, since I can't swim out to the boat and it would be tough to put on all the gear, that I never would. My family had other ideas about it and decided that this should be something I will do. When I went down to Florida to visit my husband's Aunt and boyfriend, they had already scoped out every detail of this adventure(including where to part, how to get to the beach, what boat to use, and how to get out there), and I went parasailing.
What a glorious 20 minutes that was. Feeling so free up above the high rise condos that surrounded this beach and engulfed into the deep blue sky. I did not have a care in the world and was mad when they began to winch us down.
I can still remember the adventure and, when I'm having a bad day, I think about that 20 minutes and feel better. I definately experienced 'altitude with attitude'.
I always wanted to ge parasailing but figured, since I can't swim out to the boat and it would be tough to put on all the gear, that I never would. My family had other ideas about it and decided that this should be something I will do. When I went down to Florida to visit my husband's Aunt and boyfriend, they had already scoped out every detail of this adventure(including where to part, how to get to the beach, what boat to use, and how to get out there), and I went parasailing.
What a glorious 20 minutes that was. Feeling so free up above the high rise condos that surrounded this beach and engulfed into the deep blue sky. I did not have a care in the world and was mad when they began to winch us down.
I can still remember the adventure and, when I'm having a bad day, I think about that 20 minutes and feel better. I definately experienced 'altitude with attitude'.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
These Are My Achievements, Now It's Your Turn
This site is intended to show how to overcome and achieve. The world is a big place and you may feel small and inadequate. Dealing with a disability creates and extra hurdle but it also makes you more determined to show that you do have a place. Follow along with us as I highlight Those who have gone above and beyond and achieved a level they worked very hard to reach.
This site is not just about the magnificent, once in a lifetime, 15 minutes of fame. These individuals share their disabilities, what they deal with on a daily basis, and what their goals are. Follow along with how they overcame their daily challenges to achieve their goal.
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This site is not just about the magnificent, once in a lifetime, 15 minutes of fame. These individuals share their disabilities, what they deal with on a daily basis, and what their goals are. Follow along with how they overcame their daily challenges to achieve their goal.
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There's no better place to start than with myself. As outlined in my profile I've had MS for over 24 years. When I was diagnosed I want from walking to drop foot, to a cane and a shoulder to hang on to within 18 months. These were just disturbances and I perservered through them. Do not think that I was doig this on my own. My suport group included my entire fanily, my wonderful husband, and good friends, even the friends I met going to Class. I became a Brownie Leader and never missed a choir concernt, sports game, play, or PTA conference. I was able to secure a job at the MN State Bar Association and conceived, built, and managed a successful affinity program. I worked for the Rehabilitation Services Depatment with our County government center trying to educated local businesses on the benefits of hiring individuals who had mental and physical disabilities, and then used my skills and knowledge to be the Marketing Manager at two small businesses.
Goals Achieved:
Finish School
Raise MyFamily
Get and Succeed in a Job
Did I stop there? Heck no. I also learned how to design and build stained glass windows. I have been doing this for nine+ yeears and have created some pretty cool windows:
Such as this wolf pair which are handing in my Dentist's office
Goals Achieved:
Finish School
Raise MyFamily
Get and Succeed in a Job
Did I stop there? Heck no. I also learned how to design and build stained glass windows. I have been doing this for nine+ yeears and have created some pretty cool windows:
Such as this wolf pair which are handing in my Dentist's office
This hanging panel displayed in
Dr. Randy Schapiro's Office
Dr. Randy Schapiro's Office
Or this special window, sponsored by the Champions of Courage through Betaseron. This hanging panel is at the MS Achievement Center in St. Paul, MN.
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