"The Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto" by Julie Stachowiak is detailed, informative, and down to earth. Stachowiak talks about taking control, not letting MS take the drivers seat, and much more. I found the author's tone refreshing and delighted in learning her personal story. A definite fantastic read for those with MS and those wishing to know more about it. ( )

I requested this book because MS is in my family, and I sought to understand more about it. This understanding I got, but I think anyone can benefit from the action plan laid out here - the author's approach to challenge is inspiring. I came away not only more informed, but with ideas and motivation to meet obstacles in my own life in a systematic and determined way. ( )

I have found the book easy to read in small doses, but am waiting for my mother (who has MS) to give me her opinion.

To me, it reads well and has good suggestions and a wonderful attitude. From that perspective, it is one that I would recommend. ( )

If you have MS, if you have possible MS, if you've ever been told you might have MS, if you have anything that has even some of the same symptoms of MS, buy this book. This is the most useful book I have ever found about the realities of living with an unpredictable neurological disease.

The single biggest thing Stachowiak does is help you feel as though you're not crazy, or a failure. While most MS reference books focus on the physical limitations (numbness, tingling, muscle control) Stachowiak talks about the subtle, life altering mental and emotional changes, and how quickly things can shift from you being fine and able to cope to needing help. She offers concrete suggestions of ways to mentally cope with the wide range of emotions and situations that one may encounter in living with a chronic disease.

Stachowiak acknowledges the hardships of MS in a truthful way (none of the 'Well, it could be worse' that many texts and/or friends resort to) and then challenges and equips you to move beyond that, offering clear suggestions and specific writing exercises. While she avoids complicated medical terminology, she also challenges the reader to own their disease, and learn - learn about treatment options, common symptoms and their medical names - in order to take control of their lives.

The book is well-written, easy to follow, and comes with a useful index at the back. This is a book that will have a permanent home on my shelf, and I will be consulting again and again. ( )

The MULTPIPLE SCLEROSIS MANIFESTO by Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D. is the best book I have read to date about how to live with a chronic, life altering, and potentially life threatening disease.

I happen to be a lupus patient and I wish (boy, how I wish) that there was an edition of this book available for lupus patients.

There isn't, yet... therefore, I have started using the Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto to help in coping with the maddening unpredictability of living with an autoimmune disease.

Just the first journaling assignment has made a significant improvement in my outlook.

What Stachowiak offers that is woefully lacking in books of this genre, is that she is able to present ways to turn positives out of challenges without trying to sell an unrealistic sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows spin on coping with disease.

I highly recommend this book to MS patients, their loved ones, and to those in the mental health profession who provide counsel to people with chronic disease.

Loretta Kelly, M.S.W. ( )