{"id":4874,"date":"2018-11-14T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=4874"},"modified":"2022-04-22T14:28:35","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T19:28:35","slug":"rising-above-multiple-sclerosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/rising-above-multiple-sclerosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising above multiple sclerosis on the backs of many blessings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI feel blessed,\u201d might not be what you\u2019d expect to hear from a 44-year-old woman who has lived with multiple sclerosis for more than half her life. But when Carrie McCure says it, she means it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from being in a wheelchair, I feel like I’m almost perfect,\u201d the Chatsworth resident said. \u201cI\u2019m not in any pain. I don’t have a death sentence. I have just a few hurdles to get over and there are angels to help me on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Challenges begin<\/h2>\n

In 1997, at the age of 23 and with a 1-year-old, Carrie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis<\/a>, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, in which the body attacks the fatty tissue that protects nerve fibers.<\/p>\n

Her mobility declined over the years until she needed forearm crutches. Then, in 2010, a new brain lesion put her in a wheelchair. That\u2019s when she started to see Dr. Dennis Garwacki at the OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute Multiple Sclerosis Center<\/a>, designated a Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Angels among us<\/h2>\n
\"Carrie

Vicky Schwegmann, RN, MSCN, with the OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute Multiple Sclerosis Center care team, along with Carrie McCure.<\/p><\/div>\n

Despite her condition, Carrie\u2019s list of blessings is a long one. She has a van she can drive with hand controls. A church group installed a ramp to the entrance of her house, and another one installed a roll-in shower in her bathroom. Plus, growing up around MS has helped her two daughters develop into caring people.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know God is helping me,\u201d Carrie said. \u201cThere are angels everywhere that help me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Included among those angels: the OSF INI multiple sclerosis team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can really tell they care,\u201d Carrie said. \u201cThey want what\u2019s best for you. I feel safe in their care because they know what they’re doing. They\u2019re the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Connecting with care<\/h2>\n

In 2017, Carrie\u2019s care team connected her with the Central Illinois MS Council, whose goal is to improve the quality of life for the region\u2019s MS community. The MS Council bought Carrie a power seat actuator, at a cost of more than $3,000, so she can elevate without leaving her wheelchair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a wheelchair seat that goes up high, so I can look into people’s eyes when I talk to them,\u201d Carrie said. \u201cThat was just wonderful. Now, at work I can use the copy machine and see the display screen. I can reach all the knobs on the stove.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn what comprehensive care can mean for you at https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/services\/neurosciences\/medical-services\/multiple-sclerosis\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cI feel blessed,\u201d might not be what you\u2019d expect to hear from a 44-year-old woman who has lived with multiple sclerosis for more than half her life. But when Carrie McCure says it, she means it. \u201cAside from being in a wheelchair, I feel like I’m almost perfect,\u201d the Chatsworth resident said. \u201cI\u2019m not in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":4912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[99,223],"tags":[884,755],"coauthors":[692],"class_list":["post-4874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-neurosciences","category-patient-story","tag-multiple-sclerosis","tag-osf-ini"],"yoast_head":"\nRising Above Multiple Sclerosis on the Backs of Many Blessings<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Carrie was able to overcome the challenges brought on by her MS diagnosis thanks to the OSF Illinois Neurological Institute MS Center.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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