Cathy Chester is an unstoppable, one-woman advocacy machine! And because of this, she's an FUMSer to the core. Cathy experienced her first symptoms of MS shortly after graduating from college. But like so many of us, it was a number of years before she received a formal diagnosis. Since then she has dedicated herself to advocating for her condition and ensuring that the patient voice is heard loud and clear. Cathy's writing has been featured on MultipleSclerosis.net, Huffington Post, and Multiple Sclerosis News Today. And she has been featured in Woman's Day magazine, Momentum magazine, Everyday Health, and Harvard Radio to name but a few. In this episode, Kathy-with-a-K talks to Cathy-with-a-C about how she got started out in patient advocacy through hard work and making connections. Topics covered include: Cathy's MS diagnosis story Early experiences of patient advocacy and her decision to start writing a blog Her work as a speaker consultant for pharmaceutical companies which means she is a #PatientGettingPaid The value of finding your own patient voice Resources for this episode (clickable links): Visit Cathy's An Empowered Spirit blog Cathy's writing on MultipleSclerosis.net, Huffington Post, Multiple Sclerosis News Today An Empowered Spirit on Facebook Cathy Chester on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube Help keep FUMS alive at the FUMS Podcast Patreon page Buy FUMS merch in the FUMS shop Sign up for the Patients Getting Paid email waiting list  ** Sign up for the FUMS Friday Night 6 Pack here: Friday Night 6-Pack. ~ Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? **GREAT way for a Patient to get PAID!! I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him here: The Podcasting Editor 

Extremely hot temperatures can be unbearable for people with MS due to what is called Uhthoff's Phenomenon. This is the temporary worsening of MS symptoms caused by an increase in temperature. It's usually applied to optic neuritis and other visual symptoms but can also increase fatigue, pain, balance, weakness, bladder issues, cognitive or sensory symptoms. Imagine if there was a product that could not only help with this but which was actually designed for and with people with MS? Well… Kurtis Kracke and Brad Dunn met when they were graduate students at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. While taking part in an access technology initiative with the Rochester chapter of the National MS Society, they realized that the hot July weather was preventing members of the chapter from attending research meetings. So after collaborating with people with MS, they came up with the Undercool Cooling Vest. In this episode, Kathy talks to Kurtis and Brad about their company and their products, with a special discount for FUMSers Topics covered include: How Kurtis and Brad formed ThermApparel The research Kurtis and Brad undertook with people with MS as they developed the Undercool Cooling Vest A special offer for the FUMS nation of 10% off any product through the ThermApparel website Resources for this episode (clickable links): Help keep FUMS alive at the FUMS Podcast Patreon page Sign up for the Patients Getting Paid email waiting list Call ThermApparel on 855-232-7233 or email [email protected] ThermApparel website ThermApparel on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook  ** Sign up for the FUMS Friday Night 6 Pack here: Friday Night 6-Pack. ~ Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? **GREAT way for a Patient to get PAID!! I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him here: The Podcasting Editor 

Listeners in the US don't need to be told that, with our healthcare system, it doesn't take too long before MS’ers can feel overwhelmed. Wouldn't it be great if there was somebody who was able to help you navigate the mistakes, diagnosis coding errors, deductibles, in-network and out-of-network charges, the whole nine yards? In today's episode, Kathy talks to Daniel Lynch of Medical Bill Gurus, a company that is working to redefine medical billing in order to move healthcare forward. When the model tends to be that the medical billing company for the provider over-bills and the insurance underpays, it's easy for people with chronic illnesses to feel overwhelmed by the financial burden. Listen as Daniel talks about what Medical Bill Gurus can do to help, and gives advice on how you can approach your financial future with confidence. Topics covered include: The personal inspiration which made him move from structural engineering to set up Medical Bill Gurus The most common mistakes which Daniel says you should be looking out for on your medical bills, the reasons why they might be there - and what you can do about them How Medical Bill Gurus could help people with MS, depending on the type of insurance they have What people need to have in place before they take part in any treatments which come under the term Medical Tourism Medical Bill Gurus' no-win, no-fee business model, and the process you should be following How Medical Bill Gurus might even be able to help you to choose the right insurance for your condition! Resources for this episode (clickable links): Help keep FUMS alive at the FUMS Podcast Patreon page Sign up for the Patients Getting Paid email waiting list Call Medical Bill Gurus at 1-800-674-7836 Medical Bill Gurus website Medical Bill Gurus on Instagram and Facebook    ** Sign up for the FUMS Friday Night 6 Pack here: Friday Night 6-Pack. ~ Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? **GREAT way for a Patient to get PAID!! I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him here: The Podcasting Editor 

If you’ve been diagnosed with MS for any length of time, it’s highly likely that you will have come across – or been offered – all kinds of theories about the kind of things which can impact on your health. One of the most long-standing is the effect of mercury amalgam fillings on the body. But it’s so hard to find any evidence for this theory, or even to get a dentist to talk about it.

In today’s episode, Kathy presents a fascinating chat with Dr Carl McMillan, who describes himself as a Holistic Dentist. While traditional dentistry focuses only on the oral cavity, holistic dentistry looks at the patient as a whole and how the mouth relates to the rest of the body. Rather than using fillings made of mercury (the second most toxic element known to man!), holistic dentists focus on the use of non-toxic restorative materials.

Topics covered include:

• Why Dr McMillan moved away from traditional dentistry following a personal incident in his family
• The fallibility of blood tests and hair analysis in diagnosing mercury poisoning
• The symptoms of mercury poisoning – which you’ll probably find very familiar
• Why Dr McMillan views the idea of an auto-immune condition as an enigma
• Why it’s not just a case of taking the fillings out and why it’s essential to have a safe protocol in place

Full show notes and resources at: https://fumsnow.com/fums057

Ardra Shephard is the writer behind the irreverent and insightful blog, Tripping On Air. When she started using mobility aids, she was disappointed to note that there weren't any images - in fashion or the media - of disabled people using their mobility aids, looking GOOD. So she decided to change the narrative!

Ardra is a perfect fit for the FUMS brand - she's another smart-ass MS’er who enjoys a good f-bomb!

Topics covered include:

• Ardra's (brief!) diagnosis story
• Why Ardra felt she had to be the example of a fashionable person using mobility aids in a time which she refers to as "pre-Selma"
• Her exciting role as a script consultant on There’s Something You Should Know, the television series about dating and disability 
• Ardra's experiences - good and bad - with telling her story in the media

Resources for this episode (clickable links):

• Visit the FUMS Podcast Patreon page
• Tripping On Air website
• Ardra's Web MD video
• Tripping On Air Facebook page
• Ardra on Instagram and Twitter
• Follow the #babeswithmobilityaids hashtag on Instagram

** Sign up for the FUMS Friday Night 6 Pack at FUMSnow.com.

— Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him here: https://podcastingeditor.com/

Today’s very short (less than 4 minute) message is one from the heart – Kathy’s heart – to the Healthies among us that are learning about fear of germs, viruses, and bacteria, as they are exposed to the worldwide Coronavirus outbreak.  This podcast episode is designed to be shared – with every chronic illness community member and every Healthy you know. It pertains to each - and Kathy has a job for each.

Chronics – share with your community – on and offline – Chronics and Healthies alike

Healthies – learn the lessons now about hygiene protocol during this scary time – to protect yourself and your loved ones.  Then, when this Coronavirus scare is over – and it will be over – carry the lessons forward – to protect the Chronics that walk amongst you - and on this fine line - daily.

Full show notes: https://fumsnow.com/fums055

Has living with MS disrupted your ability to work? If the answer is "HELL YES" then you have to listen to this episode!

Holly Bertone was diagnosed with breast cancer on her 39th birthday! After taking time out from her career to recover, she was diagnosed with  Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that shares some symptoms with MS, most notably chronic fatigue and joint pain.

When she had a Hashimoto’s flare-up, her employer at the time illegally rescinded her FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) allowance of unpaid leave. After looking all over for information about her rights, she compiled everything she found into an Amazon best-selling book, Thriving in the Workplace with Autoimmune Disease: Know Your Rights, Resolve Conflict, and Reduce Stress.

Aside from her amazing story, Holly also gives some tips that could help YOU navigate the workplace with Multiple Sclerosis.

Topics covered include:

• Holly's diagnosis and her decision to educate others on Autoimmune Disease as a legal disability in the U.S.
• Holly's opinion about disclosing health conditions at work
• What are the "reasonable accommodations" which can be asked for and how should you negotiate?

Resources for this episode (clickable links):

• The FUMS Shop
• Holly's Pink Fortitude website
• The Job Accommodation Network
• Sign up for Holly's Pink Fortitude Newsletter to receive her extensive Thank You bundle
• Sign up for Holly's free Fortitude Academy workshop
• Visit the FUMS Podcast Patreon page

The FUMS Podcast needs YOUR help!

Do you find value in this podcast? Want to see it continue? We need YOUR help. Visit the FUMS Podcast Patreon page to see how you can help. Thanks for whatever level of support you are able to offer!

** Sign up for the FUMS Friday Night 6 Pack at FUMSnow.com.

— Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him here: https://podcastingeditor.com/

Have you ever tried to describe what it’s like to have Multiple Sclerosis? Well today Kathy is talking to one man who is trying to SHOW people what it can be like, all while raising awareness of this stupid disease.

Rob Roberts’s wife Danielle had her first MS relapse the day after they were married. Rob left his job in federal law enforcement and customer service to start his businesses, Never Stumble Consulting, LLC, and Muscle To Bone Fitness System to help people and support his wife and young family.

After talking with Danielle, Rob devised the muscle-to-bone push-up and the MS Push-Up Challenge to replicate the pain and fatigue she was feeling. And – inspired by the Lip Sync Challenge and the Ice Bucket Challenge – the hashtag #PushUp4MS is now helping to raise awareness of MS around the world on Twitter and Instagram!

Topics covered include:

• The story of Danielle’s first relapse and why Rob felt that he needed to take a step back from his career to support her
• The story of how a “friend” suggested that Rob get a divorce because of Danielle’s MS diagnosis
• How Rob devised the muscle-to-bone push-up to replicate Danielle’s pain and fatigue
• How the MS Push-Up Challenge is taking off with organizations and individuals around the world
• How YOU can get involved!

Full show notes and resources: https://fumsnow.com/fums053

Today's episode of the FUMS Podcast Show features another fascinating conversation with Dr. Aaron Boster MD. If you missed his last appearance make sure you check out  Episode 49.

At the end of 2019, Dr Boster published an article called  Treating MS: A Simplified Strategy Boosts Patient and Provider Satisfaction. The common-sense approach he outlines is certainly a lot more rare than it should be!  So Kathy wanted to find out more about this and his exciting plans for treatment in the future.

Topics covered include:

• Why Dr Boster felt that his article was necessary and how people with MS could use it when talking to their own clinical teams
• What it means for MS patients to be "4 for 4"
• What Neurologists are looking for in your examinations
• The things that neurologists can learn by observing patients walking
• The plans for The Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis - and an exclusive treatment announcement for listeners to the FUMS Podcast!

Resources for this episode (clickable links):

• The Cognitive evaluation app mentioned in the interview: Cog Eval (for iPad)
• Boster's article  Treating MS: A Simplified Strategy Boosts Patient and Provider Satisfaction
• Page for The Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis
• Aaron Boster YouTube channel
• Aaron Boster Facebook page
• Aaron Boster on Twitter

** Sign up for the FUMS Friday Night 6 Pack at FUMSnow.com. And for more information about Patients Getting Paid, get on the waiting list at FUMSnow.com/PatientsGettingPaid.  AND be sure to join the Patients Getting Paid Facebook Group!

** If you get value from the FUMSnow Podcast Show, please consider leaving a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. Reviews are really important and help to spread the word about what we do. It’s quick and easy to do and we have some instructions here. Thanks for your time and support!

**Don’t forget to join us on the FUMS Facebook Page and on Twitter at FUMS. Have an idea for a topic or someone to interview? Perhaps YOU?? Send me an email at [email protected].

And remember to speak to this stupid disease as it deserves: tell it FUMS every day!!

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++++++ Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him here: https://podcastingeditor.com/

The holiday season is just kicking off so in today's episode of the FUMS Podcast Show, Kathy has a special message for all FUMS'ers.

• Please enjoy the celebrations but remember to take care of YOU.
• Pace Yourself.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• And be big enough to accept help when it's offered

In order to lessen your load, use the 2019 FUMS Holiday Gift Guide. It's updated every year with new products that either Kathy has come across or which have been suggested by others in the FUMS community.

We hope you find this helpful – and, if you have suggestions for great gifts, please share them with [email protected] so we can add them to this list.

Wishing you a happy and healthful holiday season!

** Sign up for the FUMS Friday Night 6 Pack at FUMSnow.com. And for more information about Patients Getting Paid, get on the waiting list at FUMSnow.com/PatientsGettingPaid.  AND be sure to join the Patients Getting Paid Facebook Group!

**Don’t forget to join us on the FUMS Facebook Page and on Twitter at FUMS. Have an idea for a topic or someone to interview? Perhaps YOU?? Send me an email at [email protected].

And remember to speak to this stupid disease as it deserves: tell it FUMS every day!!

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Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him here: https://podcastingeditor.com/