Tribute…of sorts, to Annette Funicello

Reblog from my dear friend Joni who has lived (well!) with MS for over 35 years:

I was either in 5th or 6th grade when Annette Funicello came into my life – oh I wanted to be JUST LIKE HER, but with my dishwater blonde hair color.

How was I to know many years later at the age of 32 when I was diagnosed with MS, that she also had the same disease? In the early years of her diagnosis I saw a short film about her MS experience and she came across as ‘Look at POOR PRETTY, fragile, ME’- and made no mention of Exercise.

That certainly was not my MS M.O. I started my version of Power Walking to Congressional Cemetery and back with my dog, Emily, and later Dutch. That served me very well for many years.

Now I swim 3X weekly [many thanks to my friend and co-swimmer Ron]; and lead my Qi Gong class twice a week. My wonderful students keep me going!

Over time Annette became much more active in the MS Society – and redeemed herself to me. While I used to have Relapsing/Remitting MS, I now have chronic MS. The MS Disease is not known as a ‘killer’, but certainly as a life-long, challenging disease.

While I am not an MS Medical Expert, I expect she developed Chronic Progressive MS which is not too common, but can quickly become very debilitating.

THIS is a MM Club Link from those days:

Thanks for your prayers, support and ability to MAKE FUN OF ME when I absolutely NEED IT!

Much Love,
—
Joni