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bout 13 years ago, Clackamas
resident Marte Sheeran was diag­
nosed with multiple sclerosis.
Although she is not in a
wheelchair and she is pain-free,
the disease has drastically altered her life.
Sheeran recently retired, and she and her
partner have been forced to readjust most
details of their day-to-day lives to accommo­
date MS.
According to the National Multiple Scle­
rosis Society, the chronic disease attacks the
central nervous system. The body’s own
defense system attacks the fatty substance sur­
rounding and protecting the nerve fibers of
the brain and spinal cord. As a result, nerve
impulses to and from the brain are distorted or
interrupted.
Symptoms of the disease range from numb­
ness in the limbs to paralysis or loss of vision and
affect each person differently. Although medica­
tions are available to treat the symptoms, MS
has no cure.
Perhaps most notably, two-thirds of those
afflicted with MS are women diagnosed
between the ages of 20 and 40. Sheeran’s own
experience with the disease led her to join forces
with the Oregon Multiple Sclerosis Society to
form a support group specifically for lesbians liv­
ing with MS.
As she begins the planning process, she is
closely studying similar efforts in other cities
such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. What
she is finding is that people living with MS are
often more comfortable meeting in support
groups where members of the opposite sex are
not present.
“San Francisco tried to do a joint group
and very quickly found that there are tremen-
is so lucky. Many women struggle with MS
alone, unable to retire or take care of them­
selves physically or emotionally. She would
like to see these faces among the members of
Support group for lesbians with multiple sclerosis coming to Portland
the support group.
In her spare time Sheeran also works with
by Sarah Leimert
the Portland Area Business Associ­
ation
on its newsletter. She assists
ö
dous differences between
3 the editor in recruiting people
to submit articles and become
how MS affects men and
members.
how MS affects women,”
Sheeran says. “They felt
“W hat I’m trying to do is help
that they had to do two
us get acquainted with the mem­
groups.”
bership and what they’re doing in
their businesses and about them as
Because MS often in­
people,” Sheeran says. PABA exists
volves very personal symp­
“not only to help the members who
toms, many women do not
belong to he able to network...but
feel comfortable discussing
also to represent the gay and les­
them around men. Sheer­
bian community to the outside
an would like to provide a
world and show that we are work­
safe place for women with
ing members of the community.”
MS to give support and
Although not directly related to
discuss issues they might
Sheeran’s work with the Oregon MS
not bring up with anyone
Society, PABA will help get the word
else in their lives.
out to those who are interested in her
When asked why the
most recent project. She is looking
group specifically was
for women who would like to help
planned for lesbians and
build and lead the MS support group,
not as a general women’s
group, she says: "I feel Marte Sheeran says people often are uncomfortable discussing the very personal which tentatively is planned to begin
meeting this month. jH
that it would he really symptoms of MS around members of the opposite sex
helpful to have a support group where we’re
Sheeran makes it very clear that MS “a
dealing with the same issues and provide sup­ lifestyle disease.” Although it is degenerative, it If you are interested in the LESBIANS WITH MULTI­
port at that level. I think the same things is nonfatal. Because MS is diagnosed relatively PLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP ca d Astrida Berzs
would he true if you were dealing with an age early, the symptoms must he dealt with for at 503-223-9511. For more information about the
disease visit the Internet site imvw.nmss.org.
group or with all women that want to have many years.
children and how they deal with MS and have
Sheeran feels fortunate to have the support
children. The same thing is true for the les­ that she enjoys at home and that her partner S a r a h L e im e r t is a Portland free-lance writer.
enjoys at work, but she points out not everyone E-mail her at scleimert@earthlink.net.
bian community."
A L ifestyle D isease
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