Monday, March 09, 2009

MS Awareness 2


For those of you new to my blog we are in the midst of MS Awareness One-week-late...there is a give-away for comments and for the most useful tip to make quilting/sewing/crafting easier for someone with disabilities (or lazy folks...whichever....)

Who gets MS: It can be anyone however if you are a female of Northern European descent living North of the Equator you have a greater chance. It usually shows up between 20 and 50 though can start earlier or later. It is not thought to be hereditary.

My Take on this: For once I am sooo typical. My family is of Irish descent. I am female. I lived in New England most of my life. My first episode (though not diagnosed until 4 years later) was when I was 38. And, no one else in my large (I mentioned I was of Irish descent right) large family has ever been diagnosed with MS. As I often joke, I wade in the shallow end of our family gene pool....

I took the photo above at my quilt guild last week. Since it is March and my family is of Irish descent I was thinking of making a green quilt. There were several at this meeting. I may stick with making an Irish chain. The quilt photo at the top is an antique Irish chain (circa 1860's) from my collection that has bits of green in it (including a a great appliqued border....) Mine will be a bit less dramatic!
I've also put the first border on my DD....I may even have a finish photo tomorrow!

13 comments:

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Lovely quilts, every one. And thanks for the education - I wish you well.

Browndirtcottage said...

A finished photo TOMORROW!!! Well....go forth....bring it ON!!!

KimP said...

I was diagnosed when I was one month short of 34. One day my fingers in my left hand tingled; by the next day it was my whole hand. By the third day, my arm wouldn't go where I wanted it to. I had an MRI within a week, and presto: I had MS. Fortunately, I got a diagnosis quickly - I was relieved to know what it was, rather than live with the uncertainity of what it could be.

I'm of Norweigan/English/Scots Irish/German descent. Lived in the South most of my life, but went to boarding school in England when I was a teenager. What causes it is the big mystery!

Thanks for doing this MS awareness week, even if it is a week late. I am hoping for a cure in our lifetime!

Unknown said...

Hey Siobahn.

My "lazy" tip is that I sew my bindings on by machine. I have carpal tunnel pretty bad to where I can't grip a needle for very long without my hand cramping. If I can get away with it, I just machine stitch those suckers down.

Hugs,
Melinda

Karen said...

Wonderful green quilt. I've been working on a little green quilt to celebrate my wee bit of Irish. I don't think I will have it finished by St. Patrick's Day, but should get it done this month.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh my gosh, that quilting on that antique quilt is to die for! I love it! And that green quilt from guild is way cool!

Lady of the Cloth said...

I think the best advise for quilting with disabilities would be to listen to your body, sew in short spurts. i don't have MS, but my niece does and I have back problems caused by many accidents, horse and others. i reward myself with sewing for a few minutes at a time and I am able to get a lot done that way. Sew the timer because if you're like me, I tend to keep going until I can't move.
Carline

*karendianne. said...

Love these quilts!

My Take on this: I'm kinda typical, too. I'm Irish (& Hispanic) living North of the Equator dx at 25 years of age. However, I do have an Aunt that had MS. So there's some family something going on.

Tonya Ricucci said...

that is a fun op-art green quilt from guild. gorgeous Irish Chain - I can see why it inspires you. Whee, look at you finishing projects. hurrah

antique quilter said...

thanks for sharing your quilts with us and making us more aware of MS I always enjoy your posts.
I suffer from a pinched nerve in my neck and I find it hurts more when I do the same thing for more than an hour or so ...cutting,, sewing on the machine, etc..
so I have learned to do something for no longer than 20 minutes, do something else...take breaks..
so 20 min of cutting, 20 min of hand quilting...20 min of piecing
no more than a 1/2 hr of typing on computer...
helps a lot to break the jobs up into spurts, your amazed at how much you get done too!
LOVE this antique quilt it just just beautiful
great fabrics in the chain ...love the border too.
thanks for sharing your antique quilts with us I always love seeing them.
Kathie

Elaine Adair said...

Thanks for the education. More people seem to have MS than we used to know of. Maybe it is no longer a secret?

You DD is so pretty - I am at the "wanting to sandwich" my DD - how are you going to quilt it?

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I love Irish chains...and it will be perfect in green.

quiltmom anna said...

The quilts are beautiful Soibhan- I really love your DD. I am seriously considering making this pattern of Bonnies. It looks like flowers to me.
Learning to pace one's self is a real art form and it becomes even more important when you have an illness like MS. Its not about accepting limitations, it is trying to make life generally easier by finding the point of doing before you overdo it. We all need balance in our lives- it just becomes more important when you have an illness.
You are doing a great job on your MS Awareness Week,
Regards,
Anna