Managing MS

About the Book

Debbie Petrina walked into her doctor’s office in 1980 with strange symptoms. She was only twenty-five years old and terrified of what to expect; it was not until four years later that she was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Since then, she has faced a battle in living with the disease; even so, she continues to live and enjoy her life. In this inspiring account, she shares her personal experiences with MS and how she deals with the disease’s devastating effects.

If you think you might have MS, have been diagnosed with MS, work with MS patients, or have a family member or friend dealing with the disease, Petrina offers help. You’ll obtain knowledge and guidance for handling symptoms; deal with the effects of MS on your daily life; manage emotions, depression, and cognitive functions; and approach issues such as long-term disability.

Debbie’s commonsense approach to dealing with MS cuts through the mounds of information available today and packages it into a practical, easy-to-read resource. Take the fear out of diagnosis and learn how to effectively begin Managing MS.

About the Author

Debbie Petrina wrote her book, Managing MS: Straight Talk From a Thirty-One-Year Survivor, to help others dealing with Multiple Sclerosis manage and easily understand it. She wants to reduce the fear associated with the unpredictable course and symptoms of MS through her practical, knowledge-and- support handbook. Her website www.DebbieMS.com provides more informtion. Debbie Petrina has spoken to thousands of people suffering from multiple sclerosis on her own and as a volunteer for the National MS Society. She has been a: * Trained peer counselor by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). She counseled persons with MS for fifteen years for the Society, and has since continued to counsel other peers confidentially through referrals from acquaintances and personal health-care personnel. * Monthly group leader for the NMSS for eleven years. * Member of the chapter services committee for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter. * Frequent speaker to newly diagnosed groups; caregivers/family groups; medical staff on behalf of the NMSS. * Constant researcher of MS news, publications, research. So what she learned and how she manage(d) are not only from her personal experience of living with MS for thirty-one years; they also are a result of interactions with peers and persons associated with MS. Debbie earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1976 from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She worked for two major banks for over ten years in finance, research, sales and management. These skills have been invaluable to her throughout the years as she researched, analyzed, and engaged herself with MS. Debbie currently counsels, writes articles, participates in MS events and social media to help others dealing with MS. Her website includes her MS Blog, news, events, self-help/educational videos, and articles/resources. Residing in Glendale, AZ with her husband, she is an avid reader, volunteer, and swimmer. Debbie's ability to effectively manage her MS enables her to enjoy travelling with her husband in their accessible RV.