The winner of the 2009 Best Patient Blog award, The Wheelchair Kamikaze is described on the Epocrates website as:
"the blog of a fearless Manhattanite with Multiple Sclerosis. Marc, the author, covers MS news and what life is like to live with the debilitating disease. However, this blog certainly isn't all about his affliction. In a lot of ways, it's more about what is peripheral and outside of MS, simply from his point of view."
I don't know if I would agree with that description. Yes, the site has fabulous photos and videos of the world shot from the perspective of Marc's wheelchair. However, I find that Marc pours himself - his intellect, his emotions, his soul - into his articles and images.
For instance, this excerpt from Marc's blog entry "Becoming the Guy in the Wheelchair" provides a glimpse into what the Wheelchair Kamikaze is like:
"I've also found that I'm much more likely to talk to strangers. I suppose this is a way of asserting my humanity. I'm not just a lump of flesh driving a wheelchair, I'm a human being, dammit, and a fairly entertaining one at that. Looking lost in Central Park? Here comes the Wheelchair Kamikaze to save the day. Arguing with your boyfriend over which tea to buy in the supermarket? Wheelchair Kamikaze has an opinion on tea, and he's happy to share it. I've found that once you pipe up, you often see a spark of understanding ignite in the person you're talking to. Hey, he's not just a guy in a wheelchair, he's a guy, in a wheelchair."
In my opinion, it is not that the Wheelchair Kamikaze is showing people what is peripheral and outside of MS that makes the site great. It is, rather, that Marc is showing the outside world the inside view of a really cool person with MS. And that can only be a good thing for all of us, MS or not.
By the way, sponsored by Epocrates/Medgadget, this award was the result of voting by actual people that read the sites and find the information on them useful.
Check out the site yourself - The Wheelchair Kamikaze: The Rants, Ruminations, and Reflections of a Mad MS Patient
Wheelchair Kamikaze is a terrific blog. Marc writes in a way that helps many of us. He deserves this award!
Share Marc’s site with your neurologist. Particularly his Choosing the Right MS Doctor: blog: “http://www.wheelchairkamikaze.com/2009/10/choosing-right-ms-doctor.html
I have learned more on Marc’s blog on MS in less than one year than I have for 5 years since first being diagnosed. Julie Stachowiak’s blog is great as well!
Just love the Wheelchair Kamikaze blog. Marc is lively & funny.
Makes you smile……
Have a good day!
… ] link is being shared on Twitter right now. @zenx, an influential author, said RT @1ndus: Xtreme … ]
I enjoyed Marc’s blog, but then I noticed he was using the word “poison” to describe the meds for RRMS. He doesn’t like those meds, I get it, but there is no need to use such a loaded term. I don’t appreciate the fear-mongering with respect to the meds and the conspiracy theories with respect to CCSVI. I don’t read his blog anymore.
HI,
These are mobility scooters, not race cars.They help those that have trouble walking. They are not meant to be a mode of long distance transportation. Five MPH would be pretty fast if you bumped into someone while shopping at the mall.
Thanks
Congrats tyh winner.
Our exceptional collection of awards, trophies, plaques, and gifts are perfect for recognizing achievement and outstanding employee performance
I am sure you will love for less for more