Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 27, 2020)
6A | SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS Community Voices Life with MS — Realizing my own Catch-22 By Lloyd Little Special to Siuslaw News O ne way to prolong one’s own mobility in the battle against MS is to exer- cise. As MS has depleted the nerve passages to my legs, I decided to increase my daily exercise. The yearly biggest loser contest sponsored by the Siuslaw News provided extra incentive for me. I had not participated in a regular exercise program in years. I decided to drive to the fitness center five days a week. I rode the stationary bicycle for 11 minutes, took to the pool for some swim- ming (although I probably looked more like someone trying to keep from drown- ing than actually swim- ming.) It has been nearly 50 years since I last attempted to lap swim. I resorted to the breaststroke to get from end to end and swam for 11 minutes, then showered and went home. Our dog, Traveler, was waiting for his walk. I put the leash on and Traveler and I walked around the neighborhood for 11 min- utes. My total time for week one was roughly 33 minutes of activity. In the days following, my competitiveness surfaced. Each week, I increased each phase of my three activities. I was losing weight and feel- ing more energized. If the diminished nerve impulses to my legs had less weight to carry, I was certain my mobility would last lon- ger. All was going as planned: Eat less, exercise more, lose weight and maintain stabil- ity. On Thursday, March 12, I completed my exercise rou- tine and noticed I was now spending more than an hour of fitness exercises with the combined activities. I felt good. The next day, I shopped for some necessities and returned home. However, I was fatigued more than I had been — but I still felt okay. Early Saturday morning, I fell to the ground upon try- ing to get out of bed; both my legs felt like jelly. There was no support whatsoever. For the next two days, it was a struggle just to move around my house. I resort- ed to the use of two canes, counters, dressers, my wife and any object I could use for stability. This helpless feeling was foreign to me. For over 34 years I have battled my MS. Then, in one fell swoop, MS knocked me to the ground. It has been more than two months and only last week did I feel sta- ble enough to walk Traveler. Our walks are under 10 minutes. If exercise is beneficial to MS warriors, then I should be improving, right? But my aggressive nature took me too far. That is my Catch-22. If I exercise to help my mobility I risk losing it if I exercise too much. Knowing there is a limit is difficult for me. I was too committed to the routine of exercise I was on to notice the potential negative conse- quences. I hope the knowledge I have gained from this set back will prevent me from going too far in the future. Those of us with MS mustbe strong and smart in our battles. bar, frozen in fear. “Okay, honey, I’ll get you.” It had ben years since I climbed a Jungle Jim, I clam- bered up like a monkey. “Everything’s okay, sweet- ie,” I said. But it wasn’t. Fear rose in my throat. Was it a 100 feet back to earth? With no one to help, I had to carry him one-handed, with two sandal-clad feet slipping on the bars. Slinging a three-year-old on one hip isn’t easy while descending a skyscraper. My heart hammered. I sucked in a breath and start- ed down. After some slip- page, we persevered. Step by step, we inched down. The ground felt like the first step on the moon. “Tadah!” Jeff grinned. Tina clapped. Jeff tugged on my shorts. “Pease, Mommy. Do it again?” It’s all in an afternoon’s fun with Mom. The Moral of the Story: Ev- ery moment is precious. The Moral of the Story — A special day W By Karen D. Nichols Special to Siuslaw News hen summer days brighten up, fond memories roll in. Unable to have children, I married Ralph who, fortunately, had two children. They lived with us a good deal of time. I love them as dearly as though they were my own. “What shall we do? Pic- nic at the park?” I asked as I wound elastic around six- year-old Tina’s corn-silk-col- ored ponytail. “Yeah! The park!” “Yeah,” chimed three- year-old Jeff. We stuffed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into containers, alosng with bub- ble makers. “Helping makes work eas- ier. Thanks, guys,” I said. (Yeah, right. Check the kitchen after PB and J.) We sang along the way. Want to smile? Watch a three-year-old skipping. The kids ran for the swings, soon kicking up in the air. When Tina and I spun cartwheels, Jeff joined us. In the middle of a headstand, we collapsed, rolling together in a tickling match. Jeff then scrambled up the Jungle Jim. “Don’t climb any higher,” I said as I stowed the last of the toys. “Look at me!” Jeff waved. I snapped around. Panic hit my stomach. One-hand- ed, Jeff gripped the top bar. “Oh, no! Come down, right now!” “Can’t!” Jeff ’s bawling re- sounded as he clung to the Siuslaw Vision — Better together: An introduction Submitted by The Siuslaw Vision team Siuslaw Vision is a grassroots, communi- ty led effort focused on building a better commu- nity together. That’s vision as in “a plan for the future devel- oped with imagination or wisdom.” We’re some- times asked about glasses or eye tests; while health care is part of the Vision, we don’t play a direct role in optometry. This column will high- light ways our communi- ty is working together to improve quality of life for local individuals. The Vision was de- veloped in 2016 when a group of residents who had been part of a lead- ership program gathered and asked what they could do to make this a better place to live, work and play. They decided to ask local people, through a survey, followed by con- versations and meetings to talk about results. The need for a shared regional vision emerged as the top priority and ideas from community members be- came the Siuslaw Vision. The Vision itself in- cludes broad interests identified by local people: jobs and economic devel- opment, health and hu- man services, education, infrastructure and public services, arts and culture, and recreation and the en- vironment. A Vision Team and small staff support Vi- sion-related projects and help the community re- alize its Vision. If you’re involved in any of these interest areas, you are part of Siuslaw Vision (even if you didn’t realize it!). As COVID-19 began altering the course of our lives in March, the Vision Team did what it does best: connect with peo- ple, gather resources and help people continue their work and service in the region. To meet some of the needs that emerged, Siu- slaw Vision developed resource lists for individ- uals, businesses and non- profits, available through our website, RiverCal.org. Another way we’re nur- turing community con- nections is through a learning exchange with seven local nonprofits to help them make it through the COVID-19 crisis and continue to serve area res- idents into the future. In partnership with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, the group is us- ing expert content to in- spire discussions on cho- sen topics — from how to make virtual meetings more effective to what to do about fundraising and finances. The hope is that partic- ipants will build connec- tions with each other and continue to share their experience and resources. We’re all stronger when we work together. You can learn more about Siuslaw Vision at RiverCal.org, by emailing What’s happening soon Each Sunday Florence Farmers Market Ordering Deadline Go to www.florencefarmersmarket.org/ to place order or go to sourcewhatsgood.com/ Market pickup each Tuesday from 4 to 6 Kingwood Street in Old Town Florence Now through July 15 Call for Art: 2021 Central Coast Connection Business Directory & Phone Book Presented by Pacific Publishing and FRAA fraaoregon.org/central-coast-entry-instructions.html Now through July 31 Sign up for Digital Vocal Workshop for Adults Presented by Wood Vocal Studio Three sessions: July 31, Aug. 1 and 7, with a Zoom performance on Aug. 8 $40 per student; Contact Jason Wood at 951- 252-4119 or jasonbrettwood@gmail.com Mapleton Food Share, 10718 Highway 126 Lane County Public Health at 541-682-4041 Applications and info can be obtained from www.wlcfonline.org The deadline for receipt is June 30 Save the Oregon Dunes Scotch broom removal 10 a.m. to noon at the North Jetty Contact brian@eugenecascadescoast.org to attend and for further info July 1 Florence Testing for COVID-19 Sponsored by Lane County Public Health 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; open to public (free) Florence Food Share, 2190 Spruce St. Lane County Public Health at 541-682-4041 Backstreet Gallery Now Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Friday to Sunday Backstreet Gallery, 1421 Bay St. backstreetgallery.org Latinx Community Testing for COVID-19 Sponsored by Lane County Public Health — Bilingual Testing Staff available 2 to 4 p.m.; free to members of the Latinx com- munity in and around Florence Florence First Baptist Church, 1935 25th St. Lane County Public Health at 541-682-4041 www.lanecountyor.gov/sobreCOVID-19 “Story of Plastic” Virtual Screen Hosted by Siuslaw Watershed Council and Siuslaw Chapter of Surfrider Foundation 6 p.m.; open to public www.siuslaw.org/events/ July 1 to July 6 4th of July Porch Parade Hosted by Florence Habitat for Humanity Decorate your porch, lawn or window Maps available that week; free to enter florencehabitat.org June 30 June 27 Mapleton Testing for COVID-19 Sponsored by Lane County Public Health 10 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.; open to public (free) Last day to submit Continuing Ed. Scholarship Application Hosted by Western Lane Community Foundation July 4 and 5 Siuslaw Pioneer Museum Open Noon to 4 p.m.; admission required 278 Maple St.; 541-997-7884 Submit your planned events to PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! We are open and ready to assist you! Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques & Coast Jewelers County Transfer & Recycling Separating recyclables from your trash reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfi lls, saves energy, and reduces emissions! Items that can go into your recycle cart are: • Cardboard (fl atten) and Paper (magazines, junk mail, newspapers, scrap paper, cereal boxes, egg cartons) • Plastic milk jugs and transparent drinking bottles (rinse – no lids) • Metal food and drink cans (rinse – no lids) Florence recycling picked up on same day as your trash. 541-997-8233 5078 Coastwood Ln, Florence OR wasteconnections.com Since 1983 Alva Bracey Broker Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 vision@siuslawvision.org, or calling us at 541-590- 2425. We’d love to learn more about what you’re doing in the community. Your goals are my top priority. Let’s get together! LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes • Shocks Alignments Call, Text or Email Cell: 541-505-1180 Insect & Pest Removal 4325 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7178 Trapping • Mole/Gopher Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities. (541) 997-4027 Alva@CBCoast.com 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR COAST REAL ESTATE MODEL TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS Over ars 50 Ye ce! rien Expe CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE! I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE. 541-255-9822 - Larry landl316@live.com Us TOO Florence Prostate Cancer Education Support on the Oregon Coast www.ustooflorence.org • Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday) 5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends. • Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday) 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends. Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net
