'Diagnose and adios'*

Pathbreaking Comedian Richard Pryor Dies

Richard Pryor, the groundbreaking comedian whose profanely personal insights into race relations and modern life made him one of Hollywood's biggest stars, died of a heart attack Saturday. He was 65.

Pryor died shortly before 8 a.m. after being taken to a hospital from his home in the San Fernando Valley, said his business manager, Karen Finch. He had been ill for years with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the nervous system.

More here.

Pictures here.

MTV coverage here.

Richard's website declares "I Ain't Dead Yet, M!$% F%$#!" (for adults)

The Infinite Mind: Multiple Sclerosis

"The difference between those who get well and those that don’t comes down to those that take this disease as a catastrophe rather than an opportunity do not get well."

Emily Mann

In this hour, we explore the chronic neurological disease Multiple Sclerosis. Guests include Dr. Randall Schapiro, founder and director of the Fairview Multiple Sclerosis Center and Minneapolis Clinic Multiple Sclerosis Program; Dr. Patricia O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Barbara Paley-Israel, a writer who was diagnosed with MS in 1986 and has become an advocate for people with the disease; social worker Deborah Miller, Director of Comprehensive Care at the Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research, part of The Cleveland Clinic; TONY award-winning director and playwright Emily Mann; and special commentator Zoe Koplowitz, author of Winning Spirit: Life Lessons Learned in Last Place.

Read more.
Or listen.

Great program, listen to it more than once.
This is from the weekly radio program, The Infinite Mind, find it on your local public radio station.

BBC - Ouch! Disability Magazine

Ouch! - the BBC's disability magazine, containing news, features, columnists, comedy and chat community, reflecting the experiences of disabled people.

More here.

ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games

Athens welcomed the 12th Paralympic Games with a spectacular Opening Ceremony, which was held in the Olympic Stadium. The impressive lighting of the Stadium’s Cauldron by G. Toptsis signaled the start of the Games, on 17 September.

More here.

Freedom Machines, the PBS documentary to be broadcast on the award-winning P.O.V. series

Freedom Machines is scheduled for broadcast September 14, 2004 on the PBS award-winning series POV. The film plugs the viewer into the largely unrealized power represented by assistive technology (AT) through the stories of an intriguing group of people, who are achieving exceptional things through their desires for ordinary lives.

I don't watch much TV, but if you do check this out.

Lawmakers Write to 'West Wing' Character

People, it's just a television show.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rep. John McHugh are picking a fight with the fictional "West Wing" over a scene aired Wednesday night in which an aide discussed closing a real-life New York military base.

And remember, the President doesn't really have MS, although that could explain the cognitive problems.

More here.

Talk show host shares his bout with MS in new book.

"One of the things that I have been so afraid to talk about with people is that … I'm one of these people that are in this five percent category of MS. I have extreme neuralgia which is nerve pain." He pauses again. "Though I try not to think about it I'm in pain 24 hours a day, everyday. The level of that pain goes up and down."

More from our favorite pot smoker here.

Check out the book here.

Comedy Central to Air Pryor Special

"It's not a B.S. didn't-he-USED-to-be-great tribute. It's a funny (expletive) show. I may have MS, but I ain't dead yet, (expletive)," Pryor said in a statement Tuesday.

$#%$# it here.

Author speaks of 'MS scandal'

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has spoken of the pain of losing her mother to multiple sclerosis (MS) and her anger at what she sees is a lack of care for sufferers in Scotland.

Read more from the BBC here and here.

Hollywood Composer Michael Kamen Dies at Age 55

Oscar-nominated composer, conductor and arranger Michael Kamen, one of Hollywood's most sought-after musicians, died at age 55 on Tuesday after suffering from multiple sclerosis for several years, members of his family said.

Read it here.

Talk Show Host Fined For Drug Paraphernalia

"Talk show host Montel Wiliams was reportedly fined Monday night for carrying drug paraphernalia into Metro Airport. Williams has apparently been prescribed medical marijuana to control his pain from multiple sclerosis."

Read it here.

His show here.

His MS foundation here.

Clay Walker, Country Musician

Country musician Clay Walker, who was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 1996, formed the Band Against MS Foundation to raise money for MS research and programs, as well as raise awareness about the disease.

A Few Questions
"It doesn’t seem fair to me
Some get the chance to chase their dreams
And some don't.
But what do I know?

I wasn’t there the day you filled up the oceans.
I didn’t get to see you hang the stars in the sky,
So I don't mean to second-guess you
Or criticize what I don’t understand.
These are just a few questions I have."
© 2003 Noble Vision Music, Group, Inc. (ASCAP)/Green Dogg Music, Inc. (BMI) All rights reserved.

MS Off Broadway

"Katherine Auger is a project manager for the trials of a promising new drug to help people with Multiple Sclerosis. Fueled by an almost obsessive pride in her work, she chooses to ignore the strange physical symptoms that she's been experiencing and instead focuses on helping a patient stay in the trial by covering up the woman's marijuana use. But soon the data that Katherine has falsified on behalf of the woman begins to arouse suspicions. Under increasing scrutiny from her employers, Katherine is forced to take a physical...and is diagnosed with MS. Suddenly Katherine finds herself fighting for her very existence as she loses her job, her health and her boyfriend. Without the things that had previously defined her life, Katherine must go through the painful process of rediscovering who she is."

The production runs from November 6th through November 16th at The Harold Clurman Theatre, 412 West 42nd Street NY, NY.

Read it here.

Harry Potter author auctions film roles for MS

"You wouldn't be the first person to read a Harry Potter book and immediately dream of enrolling at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, unless you engage in a rather extensive drug regimen, the wonders of magic, blast-ended skrewts and whomping willows remain the stuff of fantasy. JK Rowling is offereing the next best thing though, auctioning off a pair of walk-on parts in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

Grab your checkbook and head to Scotland for that dream movie role.
Read it here.