My Story: A Photographic Essay on Life with Multiple Sclerosis [Paperback]

Amelia Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2004

My Story is an evocative description of what it is like to live with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects about 350,000 Americans and whose cause is still not entirely known. The essays and accompanying photographs poignantly portray the lives of thirty-two men and women from the ages of seventeen to seventy and of various ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds who share the challenge of living with MS. Some use no mobility aids, while others use canes, wheelchairs, or electric scooters. All have had to face the challenges and limitations that MS has imposed upon their lives, and each has devised unique and often creative coping strategies. Accompanying each essay are commentaries by family members and friends that express their own personal feelings and experiences of living with this disease. Treatments and therapies for slowing the progression of the disease are revealed and shared, from the latest advances in prescription medication to alternative methods of coping, including yoga; exercise and competitive sports; creative activities such as writing and art; and even community activism. Highly motivating and deeply inspirational, My Story will be welcomed by anyone who lives with or shares the life of someone who has MS.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...[offers] encouragement and inspiration for anyone coming to terms with what it means to be a person with [MS]." -- Consumer Connections, Winter 2004

...A warm and enlightening new book... receiving strong reviews. -- American Photo, May/June 2004

About the Author

Amelia Davis is a freelance photographer who has shown her work in fine art galleries, universities, and at medical symposia. Her photographs have been published in literary and art magazines and in textbooks. Her first book, The First Look, (U. of Illinois, 2000) received the Sixteenth Annual Susan Koppelman Award for editing, and was selected by the AAUP Book and Jacket Show as one of the best designed books of 2000. Amelia, who lives in San Francisco, was diagnosed with MS in 1998.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Demos Health; 1 edition (March 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932603018
• ISBN-13: 978-1932603019
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,547,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review for My Story, August 17, 2004

By 

L. Slavin (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Story: A Photographic Essay on Life with Multiple Sclerosis (Paperback)

I was fortunate to have been photographed by Amelia Davis in her new book about Multiple Sclerosis. Amelia traveled all over the country interviewing physically challenged individuals and their care givers. In doing so, she composed an enlightening yet very touching collection of stories, all through the eye of her camera. Her choice of black and white photos added another dimension and increased the already dramatic content. I was very skeptical that photos could capture the anguish I sometimes feel or capture the love and concern my care givers provide but I am now a believer! Her artistic eye caught the underlying emotions and all while we quietly talked and laughed among ourselves.

Many of Amelia's photographs portray some of the more difficult aspects of the disease, how many young people have learned to live with what is often a chronic illness. Her photographs also show how indiscriminate MS really is and how, like myself, you too could walk up one morning numb and tingling from head to toe. For me, the most healing aspect of the book was how others handled their emotional difficulties. Early on, I felt as if I was being punished for mishandling something in my past. I felt lonely and isolated due to my new differences. However, like many of the other biographies, I too have learned that 'attitude is everything' and that you alone are capable of taking the 'limits' out of limitations.

The book's addition of the often forgotten care giver was an extremely refreshing aspect of her book. I always thank my husband for having made the decision to stay but so little credit is given to these unselfish individuals. It is easy to take others for granted until your welfare is suddenly out of your control.

I gave Amelia a five star rating not because I was included in her book but because her photographs speak for themselves! Even if you are not faced with a chronic illness, the biographies will touch you with their uncensored frankness. Amelia walked in and out of my life but her pictures captured a fleeting glance, pose or emotion that explains to others the essence of that particular moment in time...

Great work, Amelia!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Story is Really Their Stories, May 17, 2005

By 

James S. Huggins "Eclectist, Author & Profess... (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Story: A Photographic Essay on Life with Multiple Sclerosis (Paperback)

Ameila Davis is a documentary photographer, diagnosed with MS in 1998.

Though titled "My Story", this book is really "their stories". In this book, she uses her trained eye to illustrate 32 essays personally portraying the lives of men and women with Multiple Sclerosis.

They range from 17 to 70, across a spectrum of ethnicities, genders, occupations, socio-economic backgrounds and family circumstances.

Through her book, Amelia captures the unique approach each person has used to frame their chronic disease with, not only a positive attitude, but with a positive approach to life.

She also includes the caregivers ... those frequently forgotten in the struggle with MS and all chronic disease.

Her essays help others to see, through the stories of real people, the different possible treatments and therapies and the techniques for coping (such as exercise, yoga, creative activities and competitive sports).

Her photographs capture the people behind these essays, putting a real face, a personal face, on what is often discussed in impersonal, clinical terms. You don't just read their story; you are drawn into a human connection with them.

This is a book to buy and read. And it is also a book to buy and display, a coffee table book.

Discussing MS with friends and family can be difficult. Chronic disease can create a "distance", a separation. This book can help to bridge that gap.

As someone picks up this book to browse and becomes captured by the photographs, it can crack the door to an open conversation about MS, about what it means and about how lives continue after diagnosis.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my story: an open window, August 18, 2004

By 

A. Rosemeyer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Story: A Photographic Essay on Life with Multiple Sclerosis (Paperback)

I happen to have MS and one of the problems of having a little understood illness is the distance it creates in one's personal relationships. Even with friends and family.

I now have a copy of "My Story" on my coffee table and I'm truly amazed by the number of people who, because of the presence of the book, are finally able to speak and ask questions about MS . They glance through the book and suddenly a dialog window opens.

The photos are superb, respectful and celebratory at the same time and every person's essay is different. I highly recommend the book.