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MS and Exercise!!

1/9/2014

7 Comments

 
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When I think about my New Year's goals for 2014, I find myself thinking about what made 2013 such a good year. In addition to a loving and supportive family, I have had several major shifts in my lifestyle which I believe have helped me to stabilize and slowly improve my condition.

While I have made changes in both my diet and medication regimen, I strongly believe my immersion into a rigorous exercise program that uses a therapeutic amount of electrical stimulation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_electrical_stimulation is the reason why my function continues to improve.

I have been in an adaptive rowing program for several months with MSers and spinal cord athletes. At first the program seemed completely impossible.  I didn't have much upper body strength and my hands weren't strong enough to grasp the handles.  They used velcro handgrips to fasten my hands on the handles and after a good deal of persistence on my part, I began to see a steady increase in my strength week by week and month by month. I row three days a week for an hour each workout. I couldn't imagine my life without it.

From time to time I've also participated in Access Sports America physical activities, which is a fantastic organization for bringing outdoor and indoor exercise into the lives of people with many different types of disabilities http://www.accessportamerica.org/ and provides access to such sports as windsurfing, canoeing, biking, tennis, basketball, etc. They transitioned me from my wheelchair to a windsurfer on the Charles River– it was so much fun! They work very closely with Spaulding Rehabilitation and are set-up to serve people with varying types of physical limitations. The staff at Access Sports America are kind, highly skilled, and very adventurous.

I'm thinking about branching out and skiing. I used to love to ski but have never done it using modified equipment. If you're interested in New Hampshire slopes, I found a lot of information on the following website:

http://www.nh.gov/disability/information/community/ski.htm

The new year is always filled with hope and uncertainty. When fulfilling my New Year resolution becomes onerous, I take comfort in Abraham Lincoln's Message, "The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."

Keep on moving!
Limitless Lizzie

P.S.  A bit about me...I have been diagnosed with MS for over 20 years and am currently being treated for secondary progressive MS. I am married with a beautiful little boy and until recently worked full-time using both a manual wheelchair and at times a power chair. I battled stage III breast cancer and consider myself to be a survivor. I am grateful to be a part of this community and share my experiences with you and hope that in some small way they may be useful to you.


7 Comments
Tish
1/11/2014 02:29:19 am

I'm glad to hear that the rowing exercise has worked out so well for you and that your legs are feeling stronger. Tell me about the electrical stimulation. Does it hurt?

Reply
Lizzie
1/12/2014 02:36:20 am

I use electrical stimulation several times a week on my quad muscles and at first it was uncomfortable but now it is second nature. The electrical stimulation has to be high enough to get a good muscle contraction. This is what propels me back and forth on an indoor rowing machine which allows me to get a good aerobic workout.

Reply
Adaora Udoji
1/12/2014 05:45:05 am

Indeed. Keep on moving! Very inspiring!

Reply
Shelley Ross link
1/12/2014 07:15:47 am

You've made amazing progress. Bravo for you! You are so much more than a survivor.

Reply
Clare link
7/1/2014 07:19:33 pm

I followed a link from another article which mentions that you use our Active Hands gripping aids. Would you be interested in telling us a bit more about how FES works and how you use our gripping aids? If you are please message me on my email address.

Reply
Jeannine Baker
8/20/2016 08:00:56 pm

Reply
Bijan
7/8/2017 04:01:24 pm

Please remember the only thing that made you feel better is the will of GOD ALMIGHTY, so please be thankful to him only because I have had ms for 32 years and am still waiting for a cure or remission from THE MOST HIGH GOD.

Reply



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  • Home
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    • Physician Blog >
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      • "Ask Dr. Debbie" Research Blog
      • Multiple Perspectives In Multiple Sclerosis Research Blog
  • About MS
    • What is MS?
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  • Symptoms
    • Balance and Walking Issues
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    • Crying/Laughing Uncontrollably (PBA)
    • Depression and Anxiety
    • Dizziness/Vertigo
    • Dysphagia
    • Fatigue
    • Foot Drop
    • Hearing or Smell or Taste Changes
    • Heat Sensitivity
    • Leg Weakness
    • Loss of Hand Dexterity and Coordination
    • Memory and Mutliple Sclerosis
    • Migraines
    • Numbness/Tingling/Altered Sensation
    • Nystagmus and Oscillopsia
    • Pain
    • Sexual Dysfunction
    • Sleep Issues
    • Spasticity/Spasms/Cramps
    • Speech/Swallowing
    • Urination/Bowel Problems
    • Vision
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