Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis

by Brandon E. Beaber, Mark Katz (Editor), Rex Beaber (Editor)

There are nearly 1,000,000 Americans living with MS, but their personal stories are rarely told. Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis is a narrative non-fiction book about incredible people who suffer from MS, and I seek to share the wisdom implicit in their lives and achievements. My five subjects include a neurologist, a psychiatrist, a political activist, a young blind man, and a woman with advanced multiple sclerosis, all who live productive and fulfilling lives despite significant adversity. The biographies are intimate, emotional, heart-wrenching, and heart-warming. They reflect the triumph, not of modern medicine, but of unique individuals. We see contributions from five psychologists including Dr. John Forsyth and Dr. Mark Katz as well as an interview with Mabel Katz, an expert in the Hawaiian philosophy of Ho’oponopono.

Genres: Nonfiction

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Dr. Brandon Beaber is a board-certified neurologist with subspecialty training in multiple sclerosis and other immunological diseases of the nervous system. He is a partner in the Southern California Permanente Medical Group and practices in Downey, California (South Los Angeles). He has several publications on MS epidemiology and has participated in clinical trials for MS therapeutics. You can follow him on twitter @Brandon_Beaber where he regularly posts about MS news and research. He also posts videos about multiple sclerosis on YouTube every Wednesday. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

Follow him on twitter: https://twitter.com/Brandon_Beaber

His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC364...

Reviews

[Stella Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was living with MS for years before being officially diagnosed in 2021. I got annual MRIs, and I did not take any meds due to side effects. I had one flare up in 2021. My legs decided to a break, and I was numb from the waist down. I decided to try MS-4 from Uine Health Centre. The numbness and Muscle spasms went away after a couple of weeks, but it took almost 3 months to walk properly without a cane. In June, it will be four years without incident, and I am extremely happy that I made the decision to not take any meds and went for the MS-4 formula even though my neurologist got upset and one told me to quit my job because I will be disabled. Well, I am not disabled, I still refuse to take those meds, and I am doing just fine. Believe in yourself and go with your instincts. Doctors don't know it all. I’m surprised a lot of people with MS haven’t heard of the MS-4 protocol, I got the treatment from uinehealthcentre. com I am absolutely confident that this protocol offers a viable solution. I hope you find it helpful.

[Angela Richter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was diagnosed with MS in September of this year! I was hit hard by an attack on my brain stem. Within days I lost my feelings in my hands completely, my eyesight was terribly compromised and my ears had all kinds of struggle. I needed help to walk and even had to use a wheelchair some. This all happened in a matter of a couple of weeks!

To say I was devastated is an understatement. However I was determined to fight and in just 3 months with the Lord with me and a wonderful neurologist Im almost back to myself. I know this disease is now apart of my life but it won’t define me!

This book was a gift to me at this time. I enjoyed the stories of resilient people who have overcome in midst of their diagnosis. I loved the practical tips of living a good life despite the challenges!

[Melissa Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Beaber writes as though he is sitting there talking to you. His book discusses five resilient MS patients and gives information on what it means to be a resilient person. In reading his book, I learned that I am resilient against the odds of my low birth weight, difficult childhood, and life experiences. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis resulted in post-traumatic growth for me, which means I fit these characteristics:

“1) Increased awareness of new opportunities and new possibilities; 2) Stronger personal relationships and stronger emotional connections to others who suffer; 3) Greater awareness of personal strength despite also being more aware of vulnerability to traumatic events beyond one’s control; 4) Valuing life more than before and growing more appreciative of things that previously might have been taken for granted; and 5) Experiencing a deeper spiritual life, sometimes also resulting in a change in one’s belief system.” (Dr. Beaber reviewed the research of Richard Tedeschi, Ph.D., and Lawrence Calhoun, Ph.D.)

In reading the “Psychology of Resilience” chapter, I learned that my resilience comes partly from my perspective on life. Dr. Beaber noted, “As Shakespeare’s Hamlet says, ‘There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.'” When my friend Cathy was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in her sixth month of her fourth pregnancy, it forced her to choose between herself and her child. She did not live to raise her children. At the same time, I was diagnosed with MS. Comparing our two illnesses left me with post-traumatic growth and a perspective that allowed me to accept the challenges I have faced with high spirits. I am the happiest, most motivated person I know, and I’m not saying that to brag; I just am. My perspective on life is that I choose happiness, recognize that every day is a gift, I make the most of what life gives to me, and I believe knowledge is power.

The Polynesian Ho’oponopono practice “literally means ‘to make right, orderly, and correct,’ and it is a process of forgiveness, appreciation, and refocusing…You must look in the mirror and say, ‘I can do it; my actions will determine the outcome. No one else and no external force will stop me from achieving my goals.'” (Beaber) Resilient people self-reflect to improve their lives and meet challenges. They accept “self-responsibility and accountability,” and, “take responsibility for everything in life including your attitude towards the world and how you treat people. You should accept conflict as an opportunity to improve yourself and to change your life.” (Beaber)

The book continues with chapters on mindfulness and other stories. The conclusion includes my favorite topic of happiness and points out that no man is an island; we all need a support network.

[Abagail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I follow Dr. Beaber's Youtube channel and enjoy his informative videos about MS. I am always wanting to learn more about my condition and how my body works, and I appreciate his easy to understand breakdowns of symptoms and research!

I picked up this book because I am a fan of his channel. It turned out to not be exactly what I thought it would be and, to be fair, I maybe should have read the description more carefully. It is a bit more of a self-help book than I expected. I have to give Dr. Beaber credit for being empathetic and understanding the struggles of his patients intimately. I am sure he is a fantastic and compassionate doctor.

With that said: Between each story of a patient with MS, Dr. Beaber discusses different ways of being resilient and, really, being happy/positive...whether that is mindfulness, meditation, or Ho'oponopono. While I appreciated reading the stories, I wasn't really looking for the self-help aspect of this book. I think I am fairly well-adjusted and happy despite having MS. The concept of 100% responsibility and how I feel and see the world being all on me sometimes just irritates me. (I am pretty positive too, but that rhetoric just doesn't vibe for me.) I also felt like the patient stories were sometimes used to show me that I could do much more than I am currently doing, especially since my level of disability is nowhere near that of these folks. Even before my diagnosis, and knowing now that I am privileged to have full mobility, I long struggled with not being able to do "as much" as other people. I think I have gotten to a place of acceptance and am okay with doing what I can, and setting my own expectations and boundaries. I try not to let the achievements of others (however amazing they may be) color my own perception of myself.

So, with that said, this wasn't helpful to me. But it might be helpful to someone else! Maybe if I was newly diagnosed it would have been better. Or even if this type of thing was more in tune with my own attitude, it would. These ideas and thought processes are really helpful to some people, I know! There are all kinds of books about them! However, I am on year 4 of my diagnosis, and I have done my own work in ways which speak to me, so this just wasn't it. I am giving this 3 stars rather than 3 because it is not bad and I have great respect for the author -- it just wasn't for me.

[Stella Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was living with MS for years before being officially diagnosed in 2021. I got annual MRIs, and I did not take any meds due to side effects. I had one flare up in 2021. My legs decided to a break, and I was numb from the waist down. I decided to try MS-4 from Uine Health Centre. The numbness and Muscle spasms went away after a couple of weeks, but it took almost 3 months to walk properly without a cane. In June, it will be four years without incident, and I am extremely happy that I made the decision to not take any meds and went for the MS-4 formula even though my neurologist got upset and one told me to quit my job because I will be disabled. Well, I am not disabled, I still refuse to take those meds, and I am doing just fine. Believe in yourself and go with your instincts. Doctors don't know it all. I’m surprised a lot of people with MS haven’t heard of the MS-4 protocol, I got the treatment from uinehealthcentre. com I am absolutely confident that this protocol offers a viable solution. I hope you find it helpful.

[Kthrnbhana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sending you prayers, I was diagnosed in 2010 and seemed to go down hill quickly. In six years I could no longer work and had real problems with balance and joint pain. Brain fog was really bad sometimes. I took rebif and had a lot of problems and had to quit. I have been on techfadera (not spelled right) for a few years and have several side effects. I felt lost and decided to quit my meds due to side effects. Our care provider introduced me to Ayurvedic treatment. I had a total decline of all symptoms including vision problems, numbness and others. Sometimes, i totally forget i ever had MS. Visit Natural Herbs Centre web-site natural herbs centre. com. I am very pleased with this treatment. I eat well, sleep well and exercise regularly. God bless all MS Warriors

[Zoom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is an MS specialist who uses the stories of 5 of his patients to illustrate how they cope and thrive in spite of MS. I believe the book was self-published, and it could have used an editor's critical eye. (Technically, it was well-edited - I didn't see any typos, and just a couple of orphans/widows...but from a conceptual and stylistic perspective, the author could have used an editor to point out what wasn't working or what was extraneous.) There was also more emphasis on religion than I would have liked, and that was a bit of a turn-off.

It might be exactly the right book for someone, but not for me. (I'm not in the target audience anyway, since I don't have MS.)

[Stella Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

After my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis 2 years ago, i stopped all the Multiple sclerosis medicines prescribed due to severe side effects, and decided look into alternative approach. My primary care provider introduced me to MS-4 Protocol from uinehealthcentre. com and i immediately started on their Multiple Sclerosis treatment, this MS-4 treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, mood swings, numbness, double vision and urinary retention all disappeared after the 4 months treatment!

[Stella Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

After my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis 2 years ago, i stopped all the Multiple sclerosis medicines prescribed due to severe side effects and decided look into alternative approach. My primary care provider introduced me to MS-4 Protocol from uinehealthcentre. com and i immediately started on their Multiple Sclerosis treatment, this MS-4 treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, mood swings, numbness, double vision and urinary retention all disappeared after the 4 months treatment!

[Lisa McCombs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis by Brandon Beaber, M.D.
Hailed by Dr. Barbara S. Giesser, author of Multiple Sclerosis for Dummies, as a “very important psychologic construct in persons with MS”, Dr. Brandon Beaber dives into the depths of the MS Warrior. With personal insight and authentic interviews, Beaber applauds the stamina and resilience housed within individuals living with chronic illness. While he humbly recognizes the fortitude exhibited by his readers, Dr. Beaber offers motivation for further progress.

[Steven M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great examples of how folks from different cultures and backgrounds have dealt with MS.

There were many things in this book that I could relate directly to my past and current living situations. How you deal with MS is different for each person, but it's related to their upbringing, culture, and society.

[Lisa Ortiz]

I loved this book, It was a good biography i learned so many things considering I have MS as well I highly reccomend even if you dont have it.

[J.R. Alcyone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over a million Americans live with MS—a debilitating and widely varying neurological disease which comes in many forms and progresses in different people at widely different rates. In this absorbing and truly exceptional book, Dr. Brandon Beaber, a neurologist who works with patients with MS, explores the concept of developing resilience and overcoming adversity using MS as his focus. The book intersperses case histories from special patients Dr. Beaber has met or treated over the years with information on the biology and science of MS. Through these case histories, Dr. Beaber analyzes how these patients coped with their disease and how they have continued to live life and adapt as their circumstances change and their disease waxes and wanes.

If there is a single word to describe this book, I would pick “graceful.” In his explanations of MS as a condition/disease, Dr. Beaber manages to gracefully and artfully toe the line between never getting overly bogged down in medical jargon or mundane details and not talking down to the reader. Too, in describing his patients and their lives, Dr. Beaber manages to convey reality while always maintaining empathy and compassion and showing just how well human beings can cope with challenges. For someone newly diagnosed with MS, I could see this book being incredibly comforting.

This should not be dismissed as “just” a book on MS, however. While Dr. Beaber uses MS as his focus, the lessons in his book about overcoming adversity and developing the flexibility to deal with life’s obstacles could be applied to just about any of the hardships life throws at us. Anyone who lives with or cares for someone with any chronic disorder will find useful lessons, and occasionally even inspiration, in this humane and compassionate book. But, to paraphrase, as Viktor Frankel, “suffering eventually finds us all,” and truly, everyone should read this book and absorb its lessons.

Highly recommended. Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy that I will keep on my shelf and refer to for years to come.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on resilience, an attribute not often named specifically in the usual MS literature.
While commonly we meet MS ‘warriors’ and ‘fighters’ with great ‘mindsets’, this language can sometimes be unhelpful for those who feel they aren’t doing so well. What sort of attitude and mindset specifically is it that helps someone with a degenerative chronic illness to still make the most of life?
Brendon Beaber has written a really excellent book, exploring the traits and habits that contribute to resilience, a characteristic which enables one to recover quickly from difficulties.
MS is unpredictable, scary and debilitating, often causing wild fluctuations in symptoms, sometimes on a daily basis. So much so, that to ride these unceasing waves of the unknown day after day can become quite overwhelming. Having techniques and advice for dealing with them is invaluable and can be quite life changing.
Interspersed with chapters of detailed and fascinating case studies of resilient individuals with MS, in which Dr Beaber meticulously analyses just what they are doing to be able to still have such fulfilling lives, there are wide-ranging reviews into the literature on strategies for further developing resilience.
What becomes reassuringly clear is that it is a quality that is developed over time, rather than a fixed characteristic. Which gives hope for everyone that their resilience can be improved.
Dr Beaber’s writing is detailed, analytical and thoroughly fascinating, as well as being incredibly useful and practical.
A big thanks to Dr Beaber for writing such a well-needed, helpful study. After 17 years of reading books on MS, this is one of a handful of them that I will be keeping on my shelf for rereading and reference.

[Thomas Bellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me in so many ways. As a long time PPMS patient, sometimes it is easy to shut down and to forget that there are others out there that walk the same road as you. This book has shown me that I am not alone. To journey with the five others in this book with Dr. Beaber guiding you a with a gentle hand. His approach is both compassionate with a warm human side as well as showing you what each person goes through medically with thorough explanations of the many phases of this horrible disease. I was at first not sure if this book would be for me, as it was written by a doctor I expected it to be bogged down with a heavy load of medical jargon that’s way over my head. But as I said, he has a human side that shows in each page and you end up caring for the five people in this book. I highly recommend this for anyone who has MS or family, friends and caregivers.