“DREAMS” Available FREE* at 1 · Chapters 3-4 Chapter 5 4-5 6-9 10-12 13-14 AMP3485 “DREAMS” Available FREE * at DreamsTheEbook.com | 4 *estrictions and limitations apply

“DREAMS” Available FREE* at DreamsTheEbook.com | 1

*Restrictions and limitations apply. Up to five downloads per registration.

My Journey with Multiple Sclerosisby Kristie Salerno Kent

BOOK DISCUSSION

GUIDE

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Now you can follow the inspiring journey of Kristie Salerno Kent — a singer, songwriter, filmmaker, author and proud mother of two who is living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Using Kristie’s story, you can organize and participate in important group conversations about overcoming denial and addressing symptoms including walking challenges.

free electronic copy of

with Multiple Sclerosis” at

to get started!

“DREAMS: My Journey

www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support/Find-Support/Connect-with-Peers-One-on-One/ For-Connection-Program-Volunteers

Download your

This discussion guide includes four sections that coincide with Kristie’s story:

(In certain cases Kristie may be available to participate in the final group discussion live via Skype or other live webcast options. Email [email protected] to learn more.)

Introducing Kristie Salerno Kent

“That’s not me… maybe it is?” — Recognizing the Impact of MS Chasing your dreams while living with MS Reflecting on Dreams: My Journey with Multiple Sclerosis

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orDreamsTheEbook.com



Book chapters:

Add your group meeting dates: Discussion

guide pages:

Introduction

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapter 5

4-5

6-9

10-12

13-14

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/ /

/ /

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Introducing Kristie Salerno Kent

“I know that not proactively addressing my MS while trying to hide my symptoms put my health and my life-goals in jeopardy. I don’t

want that to happen to anyone else. I hope that people can use my story to better understand the impact that denial can have and then face the

challenge of MS with greater strength and clarity.”

Kristie Salerno Kent was diagnosed with MS in 1999 shortly before her wedding day. She spent years using her theatre training to cover symptoms and pretend — both to herself and her loved ones — that her health was not an issue. She took an office job and stopped pursuing a career as a performer. It wasn’t until she rediscovered her passion for music that Kristie found the courage to face MS.

After deciding to face her problems head on, Kristie recorded and produced her debut solo album, “Believe.” Writing the album was a source of inner strength for Kristie during her day-to-day struggles with MS. She also produced and directed “The Show Must Go On,” a short documentary designed to help others understand the emotions and physical symptoms associated with MS. Kristie has since fulfilled her biggest dream of becoming a parent. Her son Kingston was born in 2009 and her daughter Giabella was born in 2012. She has spent the last several years performing across the U.S. and hopes to inspire others living with MS to find the courage to continue following their own passions. Kristie is a paid spokesperson for Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc.

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Spending years pretending MS was not impacting her life put Kristie’s health in jeopardy. She did not properly assess her symptoms or proactively seek advice on how to manage them. Eventually, Kristie decided to face this challenge head on — and went on to become one of the nation’s leading advocates for people living with MS.

• Kristie’s memoir, “Dreams: My Journey with Multiple Sclerosis,” is inspiring people all across the U.S. to overcome denial and take charge of their health and future despite MS.

• Kristie’s documentary, “The Show Must Go On,” gave thousands of people a humorous and compassionate inside look at what living with some of the invisible symptoms of MS feels like.

• Kristie’s music, including her original album, “Believe,” is filled with messages of hope and overcoming obstacles.

• For over a decade Kristie has spoken at many of the most important patient advocacy meetings and fundraising events in the MS community and continues to share her story and offer encouragement and guidance to thousands of people.

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“That’s not me… maybe it is?”— Recognizing the Impact of MS

“I refused to admit my physical problems were driving my decisions.”

MS can keep people from reaching their goals, and Kristie’s story is an example of how denial could have done just that. Across America, people have shared with Kristie their own stories of living in denial about MS and the symptoms they experience. Many don’t realize they are compensating for symptoms. Some admit struggling to reach the phone before the answering machine picks up, or making it across the street before the light changes. These are small examples that may often go unnoticed, but in the end hiding from challenges creates a bigger problem. In order to face MS head on like Kristie, let’s take a look at how symptoms impact your everyday life.

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The Impact of MS:

How have symptoms affected your life since an MS diagnosis?

What do your spouses, children, and care partners know about the symptoms you are facing? How does this impact your relationship with them?

List examples of when you might be compensating for MS symptoms: At home? In the workplace? Social life? Making plans for the future?

Kristie’s Example: Denial of Walking Problems:

Kristie was an aspiring singer and actress before an MS diagnosis changed her life. After years of hiding walking impairment, Kristie changed her outlook and faced this challenge head on.

How do walking challenges impact your daily routine?

How do you explain your walking challenges to loved ones?

How might improving your walking impact you?

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Your Response

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Don’t Deny It! Walking Self-Assessment: It’s important to recognize changes in your walking due to MS. The 12-Item MS Walking Scale (or MSWS-12) can be used to rate the impact of MS on your walking. For this exercise, first answer these simple questions on your own. Then, share this quiz with a loved one or care partner, and ask them to answer the same questions evaluating your walking. Finally, compare the answers to see if your perception of your walking ability is at all different from those closest to you.

1 =Not at all, 2 = A little, 3 = Moderately, 4 = Quite a bit, 5 = Extremely

How much has MS limited your/your loved one’s ability to walk?

How much has MS limited your/your loved one’s ability to run?

How much has MS limited your/your loved one’s ability to climb up and down stairs?

How much has MS made standing when doing things more difficult for you/your loved one?

How much has MS limited your/your loved one’s balance when standing or walking?

How much has MS limited how far you/your loved one is able to walk?

Your Spouse’s Response

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Continued...

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Your Response

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How much has MS increased the effort needed for you/ your loved one to walk?

How much has MS made it necessary for you/your loved one to use support when walking indoors (e.g., holding on to furniture, using a stick, etc.)?

How much has MS made it necessary for you/your loved one to use support when walking outdoors (e.g., using a stick, a frame, etc.)?

How much has MS slowed down your/your loved one’s walking?

How much has MS affected how smoothly you/your loved one walks?

How much has MS made you/your loved one concentrate on walking?

Your Spouse’s Response

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Notes:

Continued from

Previous Page

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MS affects emotional and physical health in different and often unexpected ways. For many, the first reaction is denial. Kristie didn’t talk about what was happening, even to her husband, because it was too hard to explain. Kristie’s journey from denial to hope was possible because she rediscovered her passion for artistic expression through music and performing arts which allowed her to channel her emotions and be honest with herself. It inspired her and gave her the courage to retake control of her life. Kristie encourages others to pursue their passions and use that strength to face MS head on and get the care they need and deserve.

“I never planned on having

MS. Once I realized

I couldn’t change my

diagnosis but I could change

my outlook, the question,

‘Why me?’ was replaced

with, ‘Why not me?’”

While Living with Multiple Sclerosis

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Chasing Your Dreams…




Family:

What unique challenges do parents who are living with MS face?

What hesitations, if any, do you have about raising a family while living with MS?

How can you explain MS to your children?

Career:

Has MS affected your ability to pursue a career? If so, in what ways?

What challenges have you faced in talking with an employer about MS?

What steps can you take to plan for your future as a professional?

Finding a Passion:

What is the one activity you most look forward to each day?

Is there an opportunity to advance your skill set to enhance your participation in this activity?

What kind of training or educational courses might be available for this activity?

How can you share your passion for this activity with your family, friends, and community?

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Path to Success:

Whether you are starting or supporting a family, pursuing a professional career, or developing your passion, take a moment to note your long-term goals for each and list the immediate next step towards reaching those goals.

Family Long term goal:

Next step:

Career Long term goal:

Next step:

Passion Long term goal:

Next step:

Notes:

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Reflecting on Dreams: My Journey with Multiple SclerosisKristie uses her talents to teach others about the challenges of MS and encourages those impacted by the disease to talk openly about their symptoms and continue to pursue their dreams. Now let’s reflect on how Kristie’s story has impacted you.

“When MS hands you a setback -- as it inevitably will -- it’s so important to keep a

positive mindset. It took me a long time to learn that lesson, but having a passion to pursue

made it easier to implement.”

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Notes:

Which moment in the book do you like the most and why? The least and why?

Did Kristie find herself in situations you can identify with, if so how?

Did you learn something about MS you didn’t know before?

Do you feel as if your views on living with MS have changed by reading this text?

Have you had a life changing revelation from reading this text?

What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader?

At what point in the book did you decide if you liked it or not? What helped make this decision?

If you could change something about the book what would it be and why?

Describe what you liked or disliked about Kristie’s writing style.

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Documents

“DREAMS” Available FREE* at 1 · Chapters 3-4 Chapter 5 4-5 6-9 10-12 13-14 AMP3485 “DREAMS” Available FREE * at DreamsTheEbook.com | 4 *estrictions and limitations apply