Yoshie Ueno

In Japan, the art of flower arranging is called "Ikebana." It began as a kind of ritual flower offering made in Buddhist temples in Japan during the sixth century. Representing the three elements of heaven, earth, and humankind, this arrangement emphasizes form and balance, while providing tranquility of the soul. When I came to the US from Tokyo to meet my future mother-in-law, I was amazed at the amount of flowers she cared for in her yard – front, back, and both sides of the house - and all from a wheelchair. Sharon has had MS for 35+ years, but you’d never know it. Her "Can Do" spirit guides her as she goes about her daily challenges. Over the years, she has figured out how to manage the care of flowers by using raised flowerbeds so she can easily reach them, watering late at night when it is cooler, and shares her creations by leaving an Ikebana arrangement on neighbor’s doorsteps, as a unexpected surprise. Since Ikebana is an unparalleled meditative activity, I think that Sharon has found her "tranquility of the soul," despite being in a wheelchair.

Brenda Snow

Snow Companies: Find Your Voice, Share Your Story, Inspire Conversation

Through their Patient Ambassador™ program, the Snow Companies help people living with challenging medical conditions, like multiple sclerosis, find their voice and share their authentic experiences. By sharing their stories, educating, and inspiring others, Snow’s Patient Ambassadors empower others in the MS community to be their own advocates.

The Snow logo features a bloom of speech bubbles which represents the idea that each individual voice expands to inspire conversation. These conversations gather momentum and go on to change lives, communities, and the way people think about living with a chronic illness.

Snow is dedicated to helping people with MS live well, one patient at a time. By joining together, we can also create a snowstorm of change in the MS community.

Debbie Morrissey: The Grand Canyon

I cannot hike the canyon but I can explore it with my camera. Remember I am what I can do-not what I can’t do!

Debbie Morrissey

The tulips are around a tree in my back yard. They remind me that even though they sleep in winter, they still bloom every spring. That reminds me that even though I am not able to be full of pep all day, I do have many beautiful moments in my life.

Joan Lautwasser

The colors of hope are represented in my square. There is always hope for those with MS.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Lynda Leeper

Quilting has been my salvation. As my MS progresses, quilting is something that I can still do and while I work with the beautiful fabrics and colors I can forget about the devastating disease. After 30 years of marriage, my husband said he didn’t want to waste anymore of his life with someone that is handicapped. My health issues had become an embarrassment for him. When people look at my quilting, they don’t know that I’m any different from anyone else.

Carol Cetrino

My square represents women with MS can do it all! We are no longer told to rest and take it easy. We have options and can adapt to our environment with style and grace.

Yuchan Ueno

Having just turned 15 years old, I got to fly for the first time from Tokyo to the Midwest. I chose a "heart" to remind me of the love that I received during my two-week stay in St. Louis with The Greene’s. The Japanese word for heart is "Kokoro" and means "mind, heart, and spirit." Even though we didn’t speak each other’s language very well, we became close because there was lots of “Kokoro” in the house.
Mama Greene has had MS for a very long time and is in a wheelchair. There aren’t very many people in wheelchairs in Japan and I was a little scared, at first. But I soon found out that it didn’t matter, as Mama Greene is just like other mothers, only shorter :) She taught me how to journal, work in the yard, paint, cook American food, read English, learn things about the US, and how to hold her first grandson when he was only a few minutes old. So, Mama Greene "Can Do" just about anything and I hope to come back soon. Sayonara.

Michelle Keating: A dedication to Buddy Hayes

Knowing Buddy for many years, she inspires me with her "can do" example.
Buddy is a retired Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and special education teacher. An active outgoing person, Buddy was not one to take the challenge of MS lying down! She has travelled many places in the US giving presentations and participating in athletic competitions and as Ms. Wheelchair Virginia in 2007. Her motto is: Desire to Inspire! "I am living with a disABILITY that doesn't mean I am a disABILITY. I am a person first and I am living with a disABILITY second, it is just a part of my life story"

www.Gimp Girls Rule.net

Ann Cummins

Can Do class May 2007

Alana Mizwicki

Since 2001, Fun Cruise & Travel has assisted hundreds of persons with MS to manage their special needs while cruising to exotic ports of call. This background helps us to help you ensure enjoyment of your cruising experience. From the planning phase through the end of your cruise experience, we work with you to achieve the highest possible level of teamwork, communication, freedom, and independence.

We stand out from other cruise agencies because our background and unique skill set fosters networking and support for individuals. Through our many years of experience, our mission has remained the same. Namely, we assist each participant in developing a concept of themselves as someone who is more than a diagnosis. We help the individual to value him/herself for who they are and what they have to offer because of MS. In short, we try to assist everyone to look beyond the diagnosis and "be the best version of you!"

Donna Duff

My CAN DO spirit represented in my quilt square is my journey to well controlled symptoms of MS. My doctor ordered physical therapy, then I started yoga, learning to relax, and keeping my faith present has carried me home to my first successful MS Walk last year with my dog Dee. As I was creating my quilt square, I realized what MS means to me. I think it is a reminder to all of us with MS to be aware of "M"ind, "B"ody, and our "S"pirit. Finally my mantra is to keep moving forward so I can remain on my "Feet" to continue my life’s journey as healthy as possible.

I AM, I CAN, I QUILT – Igniting Your Can Do Spirit

Can Do Multiple Sclerosis is an innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs for people with MS and their support partners. These programs give the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors, and focus on actively co-managing their MS.

This unique quilt celebrates our past program participants and the ways in which they express that they are more than their MS. Thank you to all for making a difference in the lives of thousands of families affected by multiple sclerosis, and helping them lead healthier, active, better quality lives.

Volunteer Project Leader: Michelle Keating, Can Do Class of 2007
Underwriting sponsorship: Jeff and Ann Cummins (Can Do Class of 2007)
Quilting: Terri Kanyuck

Sharon Greene

Nicole Benson: The Benson Family Quilt Square

This quilt square symbolizes the carefree spirit that my father, Thomas Andrew Benson, always has been. He is a dreamer, a wanderer, an artist, a fanatic, a scholar, a blue collar worker, an entrepreneur, a provider, and a friend. He is the pillar of our family that is always lending support and comfort. He is comic relief and a well of random trivia, matched by no one.

My father talks about his MS in the same way that he talks about the events in the news: they matter but they do not change his approach to the world and they certainly don’t hold him back from seizing the day. He is defined by many characteristics, but he is not defined by MS.

Keep on truckin’…and Long live the Myelin!

Donna Jordan
Can Do Class May 2006

Faith. Hope. Peace. My journey with MS began 12+ years ago. Although it has not been easy, and certainly is not something I would “wish” for anyone else, it has been a blessing of sorts. My faith in God has grown exponentially and because of it, I have a peace that I might not have ever known.

I cannot do a lot of the things I used to do but I have a lot of hope that someday my previous abilities will be restored to a level even better than before. Although most all of my daily routine is now done in stages, there are a lot of things I CAN DO. I write to our soldiers, read a lot, listen to tapes on education topics, and watch some TV. MS has also given me the opportunity to meet many new and wonderful people that I might not have come in contact with otherwise.

Above all these activities, I spend a lot more time with God. He has taught me many things while on this journey. You see, MS is what I have, NOT who I am. I am blessed beyond measure and I pray that you find the blessings of faith, hope, and love, and peace. They make every day worth living!

Colleen Berding

I was inspired to donate to this project becuase I have grade school and high school friends who were touched by MS personally or in their families. My husband's former sister-in-law has had MS for many years. We do not see her often, but we send holiday cards every year and since I've gotten involved taking care of MS patients, we have a lot to talk about. She is also a nurse, retired due to her MS. I chose a tree because so many families, like my husband's are affected by MS. Even if a tree seems lifeless, there can be growth. I chose the Coleridge quote because without good friends around us, life seems long, tiring, and without beauty. We just need to look to find good things hidden in the situations around us.

Pat Swartz

Montana State Flower (Bitterroot): Long before explorers Lewis and Clark wrote about the beautiful purplish-pink flower of the bitterroot, Native Americans were using its roots for food and trade. Tribes dug up the roots and dried them so they could be kept and used for months. The root was too bitter to eat unless it was cooked, and it was usually mixed with berries or meat. An Indian story tells how the bitterroot came to be. It says the sun heard a mother crying because she couldn't find food for her family. The sun changed her tears into the bitterroot so she would always have food for her children. You can find the bitterroot growing near the mountains and boulders of western Montana in spring and summer. Mice love its leaves and seeds. This block represents that I have MS, but MS doesn’t have me. I can still appliqué and I am thankful for that. My sister and I both have MS. I am lucky as I can still do what I enjoy: appliqué quilts. My sister isn’t as lucky as she is able to walk just a little.

John Francis: A dedication to Jimmie Heuga

You know many, many years ago, I heard Jimmie say he was not going to be one of those guys who used an Olympic medal to define him. He said this at Heuga Ski Express fundraiser event. And I said to someone who I was sitting with, "If I had won an Olympic medal, I‘d wear it 24/7, into restaurants hoping people would buy me lunch, into bars hoping people would buy me beers."
But that is the difference between the very, very classy Jimmie Heuga and me. He is my hero.
I have been a participant in CAN DO and am thankful for his gift.

John Francis

Michelle Keating: Tribute to Jimmie Heuga
Can Do "Class of May 2007"

To meet the man who pioneered a program of physical activity, goal-setting and psychological motivation that improved his own physical condition and outlook on life and MS AND spent years sharing and teaching those principles was an honor. Jimmie taught "FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO" within the MS community as a standard of MS care.

Jenny Garofalo Tindall

I have had MS for 14 years and my mother has had it for 26. Every year we inch towards a cure but are not there yet. I have hope we can eradicate this disease!
This quilt square made by "Healthy Steps Lunch Bunch" Support group (Louisville, KY)

Michelle Keating

Diagnosed in 1981and now living with MS over 30 years. Through my many years of nursing as an MS-certified and oncology-certified nurse, I have been published, faculty at professional meetings, involved with development and review of professional and patient literature, training for health professionals, and speaker for nurse, physician, and patient programs. I believe God did not give me MS but has allowed me to use me as His vessel, and provide hope, inspiration, courage, and love to those I touch in my life.
My May 2007 Can Do program experience was an incredible part of my MS journey.

Cheryl Ann Cummins: Free as a Bird

I am a 63 year old woman and have had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis for the past 32 years. During that time I have pretty much tried every shot and pill available on the market with the exception of Tysabri because of its dangerous side effects. Last year as soon as the first-ever pill (Ampyra) became available I jumped at the chance to start taking it. Every since I have been on Ampyra I feel that I am as "free as a bird."

Diana St. Cin

In 1995 when I was first diagnosed, I was confused, and never knowing what MS was going to bring. It reminded me of riding a roller coaster. I always loved riding roller coasters though, so why attach something bad to something I enjoyed so much! Quickly, it was revealed to me that sadness or feeling sorry for oneself just made things worse. After all as the Lord says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." (Proverbs 17:22)

Lynda Leeper: tribute to Jimmie Heuga

This block is called "friendship star." In the 25 years since I was diagnosed with MS, I have met people I would not have met otherwise. One of those people was Pepi Stiegler. Pepi and Jimmie Heuga were both Olympic downhill skiers. My friendship with a gold medal athlete that has the same disease that I do has meant a lot to me.