Another Gift from Jo Ann

My mom had multiple sclerosis, and it screwed up my whole family.

This not just her story; it is my family's story about how we all coped with my mom's progressive condition in our own different ways. One was ashamed and fled-he was my father. One only came to help once a week-she was my grandmother. Several only came to visit once a year-they were my mom's two closest friends, my aunt, my uncle, and my cousins. Two had to stay for the long, hard road that lay before them-that was my brother and me.

I've kept a journal all my life. It wasn't to keep track of my heartaches and childish thoughts. It was to give me a place to vent everything I was going through. I used some of my journal entries to write this book. I wanted others to know that not only did my brother and I survive the difficulties of our turbulent childhood because of this horrific disease that our mom had but we actually came out of it stronger, more well-adjusted people because of it. By sharing my story, I am simply letting others know that they are not alone.