I had a hard time reading this story. My mother has MS, and although it's the most mild form, we can see her gradually becoming weaker. She had to give up the cane last year and start using a walker, which she hated. But she got one with lots of "bells and whistles" and she actually likes it.

Turns out she'd started having symptoms when I was in high school (I'm 45 now), but it wasn't officially diagnosed until 15 years ago. My sister and I always used to joke that mom "listed to the right" when she was walking, and she thought it was pretty funny. We still make jokes now, which she appreciates. (My husband especially is always making cracks about her memory and her clumsiness, and she loves it - he's refused to see her as handicapped.)

So reading this, even though Wilson has a very severe form, I was envisioning what my mom could be in for. The doctor's don't think it will get that bad, though. I mean, come on - the woman still lives alone, goes out by herself, jokes about her condition, fusses when we fuss, and snaps at her doctor when she feels she's being coddled. My mom is one strong, independent lady. But things like this story still scare me. And it was so sad.

Well done.