MS Madness!

A "Giggle More, Cry Less" Story of Multiple Sclerosis

by Yvonne deSousa

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Pub Date Feb 10 2014 | Archive Date Feb 03 2015

SDP Publishing

Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult)

Description

This humor filled, inspirational memoir tells the story of the months leading up to, and the year following the author's diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and the zany adventures that transpired. Yvonne's story helps us all laugh at the insanity that comes from life with a chronic illness and helps readers to understand that with a sense of humor, you can survive almost anything!

Yvonne deSousa's diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis came with an insightful declaration from a new doctor ("MS sucks") and a brother's helpful advice ("You could totally get one of those handicapped parking plates now"). What followed was a year of MS-adventures: "accidentally" kicking an officious male doctor in the crotch, becoming an undercover agent to pay for medication made from Chinese hamster ovary cells, discovering the amazing effects of legal speed, and battling her arch-nemesis, the dreaded food group: vegetables. Throughout her MS journey, Yvonne learned how to use humor to find acceptance in her diagnosis, and how to smile in the face of a debilitating chronic illness. MS Madness will make you laugh while learning the real story of what MS, a disease that affects 400,000 Americans daily, can do to a perfectly normal person. Life with multiple sclerosis can be daunting, but Yvonne shares her giggles at the bizarre world she has unwittingly entered and the new perspectives it has given her on life. MS Madness makes us realize that with a sense of humor, we can survive anything.

This humor filled, inspirational memoir tells the story of the months leading up to, and the year following the author's diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and the zany adventures that transpired...

Advance Praise

"combines defiance with humor, the secret weapon of the sick." Richard M. Cohen, NY Times best selling author of Blindsided and Strong at the Broken Places

"MS Madness! is just what it promises to be. The author has managed to turn a potential sob story into a humorous read without losing the main plot. It takes a lot to make fun of yourself and the author does it with ease. Her ability to laugh at herself, in spite of her condition, can surely be an inspiration to one and all. I really think it takes a lot of courage to look your MS diagnosis in the face and choose not to be beaten by it. She deserves a pat on the back for telling it with a smile." - Reviewed by Dr. Oliva Dsouza for Readers' Favorite

"A week before Christmas in 2009, deSousa, a writer and blogger in her late 30s, receives a diagnosis that explains all of the mysterious symptoms she’s had for months: relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis. She’s thrown into a disorienting world of self-administered shots, exhaustion, and memory loss. Rather than descend into pity or bitterness, she decides to enjoy her favorite holiday while relying on her Catholic faith, a sense of humor, and family. DeSousa considers herself lucky: unlike her sister, who also has MS, she doesn’t need a cane or a brace to walk. That attitude, which helps her navigate the difficult early months, comes through right away in the book. At first, deSousa continues to hold down a stressful job and teach Sunday school, in part because, even with insurance, she worries about the mounting costs of dealing with the disease, but eventually, her disability forces her to quit working. She describes her deliberations over whether to spend 83¢ on a fountain soda, and her joy at discovering that the soda is actually free. With her new free time, she discovers previously untapped interests like writing and earns a scholarship to a writing conference and is published. In this heartfelt memoir, deSousa proves that while there is much to be frustrated and dispirited about, it’s possible to face quagmires with grace." - (BookLife)

"combines defiance with humor, the secret weapon of the sick." Richard M. Cohen, NY Times best selling author of Blindsided and Strong at the Broken Places

"MS Madness! is just what it promises to...