In each issue of the newsletter, we will bring you a column that presents the experiences of our members. Their stories are presented In Their Own Words by way of letters they have sent us. We are most appreciative of their willingness to share their very personal stories. It is our hope that through the sharing of these experiences, we will all learn something about each other and about ourselves. It is our hope that the stories will help us all realize that we are not alone. You may submit your stories by sending them either by e-mail or through the postal service to Sandy Siegel.

July 2nd 1992 my husband of six months, Gary, and I took my grandchildren home after a short visit. While we were at my daughter's house, I began to feel a tingling in my left leg. I did not think too much about it at the time. I just thought it was from sitting and riding in the car for four hours. I had no pain, just discomfort. On the way home, I could not get my left leg and foot to relax. I could not keep them still; they would move by themselves. After we arrived home, I sat in a tub of hot water hoping it would help. It did not. I slept only a little while that night.

The next day, July 3rd, both of my legs were tingling. They felt as if they were trying to wake up or thaw out. There was still no real pain, just discomfort. I could not sit still. I felt as if I was in a bed of ants; not the stinging kind; the kind that just crawl all over you. I thought I was losing my mind. I was worried and scared. I could not see my regular doctor until Monday because of the holiday. I did see a doctor and he gave me a muscle relaxer and told me to see my doctor on Monday.

July 4th, the muscle relaxer hadn't helped. I had a lot more tingling. I was beginning to have some numbness in my left foot and leg. I was very tired and weak. My husband and I had only known each other six months. We met on a Friday night and were married on the following Saturday (one week later). I was afraid there was something wrong with me that would make him not want to stay with me. Looking back on it now, I believe G-d had a plan for us. He knew I was going to need him in the near future, because my life as I knew it was about to change. I thank G-d each day for Gary and my children.

July 5th was Sunday. I was getting weaker in my legs. I felt heavy. My feet would not go where I wanted to put them. I had a lot more tingling and more numbness. I could not sit. I could not stand without a lot of discomfort. My entire lower body was tingling. I still had no real pain. I had a hard time breathing. I felt out of breath all the time.

July 6th, Monday, I made it through the weekend, now it was time to find out what was wrong with me and get it fixed. I saw my doctor that morning. He took x-rays. The x-rays did not show anything wrong. He gave me more relaxers and sent me to a neurologist. By this time I was really scared. I never thought about being paralyzed.

July 7th, I made it out of bed and got dressed. To this day I do not know how. On the way down the steps while leaving home to see the doctor, I was on the last step and I felt my lower body melt and I just sat down. I did not know it at the time; I would not stand or feel the seat beneath me again. My husband put me in the car and took me to the doctor's office. The doctor said it was MS. I prayed that I did not have MS. I knew that was bad. I was hospitalized. They ran every kind of test they could. They did a spinal tap, a MRI, everything. On the second day of tests, I heard the words, Transverse Myelitis. What in the world is that? I did not know what it was, but I knew that I did not want it.

That was seven years ago. I spent nine months in the hospital. I have had all kinds of therapy. I cannot control my body functions or move anything from breast-level down. I am grateful for my arms and my speech. My life is fuller now than before. I have my husband and my children. Above everything else, I have my G-d.

Without Acute Transverse Myelitis I would not have ever stopped to hear Him talking to me. I am truly blessed. G-d loves me, and he loves you too.

I wrote this last year. I never could get up the nerve to send it to anyone. It has been nine years now. I do not have any feeling below the breast. I still have my husband and children. Above all I have Jesus to speak to G-d on my behalf. I thank you for your newsletter, it helps.

Minnie E. Todd
Minnieherrell58[AT SIGN]aol.com