Saturday, May 10, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
MS and relationships
New Book council's couples coping with the stress of chronic illness.
Life Interrupted-It's Not All About Me by Chris Tatevosian guides others with chronic illness or disability to control feelings of self-pity, worthlessness and diminishing self-esteem in order to keep their relationships strong and loving. A physically debilitating illness is difficult enough, Tatevosian strives to help others avoid allowing this situation from becoming emotionally crippling as well. Open, frank and filled with invaluable advice, this is a book for anyone who wants to deal positively with illness or strengthen a relationship.Back Cover TextChronic illness can strike anyone at any time. But long illnesses don’t just affect one person, they affect the whole family. Author Chris Tatevosian was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was a young man. Without realizing it, his “poor me” attitude, and difficulties with coping with the disease cost him what he felt was a marriage made in heaven. Could he have done something differently? Tatevosian shares with readers many of the destructive, relationship-busting behaviors to avoid as well as the helpful, healing ones to implement. He gives a firsthand account of multiple sclerosis, including the drugs and treatments which have been particularly beneficial for him. Stressing compassion and understanding for other family members, Tatevosian also asserts that his deep faith helped him through rocky times. By sharing his experiences, Tatevosian gives readers the awareness, knowledge and understanding they need to deal more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on a relationship interrupted by chronic illness or disability. Warmly written and bravely told, this is a perfect book for patients, caregivers, or anyone looking to heal a relationship. “A real person, speaking right from the heart, and it touched my heart.” --Rick Mansfield, Caring Coordinator, The First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
Life Interrupted-It's Not All About Me by Chris Tatevosian guides others with chronic illness or disability to control feelings of self-pity, worthlessness and diminishing self-esteem in order to keep their relationships strong and loving. A physically debilitating illness is difficult enough, Tatevosian strives to help others avoid allowing this situation from becoming emotionally crippling as well. Open, frank and filled with invaluable advice, this is a book for anyone who wants to deal positively with illness or strengthen a relationship.Back Cover TextChronic illness can strike anyone at any time. But long illnesses don’t just affect one person, they affect the whole family. Author Chris Tatevosian was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was a young man. Without realizing it, his “poor me” attitude, and difficulties with coping with the disease cost him what he felt was a marriage made in heaven. Could he have done something differently? Tatevosian shares with readers many of the destructive, relationship-busting behaviors to avoid as well as the helpful, healing ones to implement. He gives a firsthand account of multiple sclerosis, including the drugs and treatments which have been particularly beneficial for him. Stressing compassion and understanding for other family members, Tatevosian also asserts that his deep faith helped him through rocky times. By sharing his experiences, Tatevosian gives readers the awareness, knowledge and understanding they need to deal more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on a relationship interrupted by chronic illness or disability. Warmly written and bravely told, this is a perfect book for patients, caregivers, or anyone looking to heal a relationship. “A real person, speaking right from the heart, and it touched my heart.” --Rick Mansfield, Caring Coordinator, The First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Interview and live discussion with Chris Tatevosian, MS sufferer and author of Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me'
Hello everyone,
I’m going to be interviewed on the radio/internet on the interactive Blog Talk Radio Show, “Winning Life Through Pain” with coach Marla on Tuesday March 25th at 2 PM Eastern Standard Time. The topic: Multiple Sclerosis, a condition from which I have suffered for almost three decades and the resulting stress put on a relationship when life is interrupted by chronic illness. Marla and I will be discussing my book, Life Interrupted, It’s Not About Me, which is my real life story written to help others avoid making the same relationship destroying mistakes that I did. If this book helps just one person or saves one relationship it will have been well worth my literally making my life and open book. It’s not always pretty, but it’s real. So, please join us on Tuesday my 25th at 2 PM EST by clicking the link below.
http://blogtalkradio.com/winninglifethroughpain
On her web site, Coach Marla, the well educated host of “Winning Life through Pain,” her blog radio talk show, speaks with callers dealing with chronic illness of which she knows firsthand with a sweet, caring, bubbly voice and demeanor of a true Christian. In her on words she proclaims:
I'm Marla, your RSD Coach™ I have embraced and have been empowered by RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) since 2003. While we all experience RSD a little bit differently, but we all feel pain, isolation, unworthiness, and depression at some point, I know them very well. Using RSD Coaching™ techniques, I will show you how to break free and live your life to the fullest. This is not just for those of us who suffer with RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), but also for those of us who suffer with MS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome as well, because they all cause a great deal of pain and mental stress.
Amazon.com is donating 5 to 15 percent of each purchase of the book Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me made through the MSworld.org link below to the MSworld.org cause.
http://www.msworld.org/html/lifeinterrupted_Tatevosian.htm
I’m going to be interviewed on the radio/internet on the interactive Blog Talk Radio Show, “Winning Life Through Pain” with coach Marla on Tuesday March 25th at 2 PM Eastern Standard Time. The topic: Multiple Sclerosis, a condition from which I have suffered for almost three decades and the resulting stress put on a relationship when life is interrupted by chronic illness. Marla and I will be discussing my book, Life Interrupted, It’s Not About Me, which is my real life story written to help others avoid making the same relationship destroying mistakes that I did. If this book helps just one person or saves one relationship it will have been well worth my literally making my life and open book. It’s not always pretty, but it’s real. So, please join us on Tuesday my 25th at 2 PM EST by clicking the link below.
http://blogtalkradio.com/winninglifethroughpain
On her web site, Coach Marla, the well educated host of “Winning Life through Pain,” her blog radio talk show, speaks with callers dealing with chronic illness of which she knows firsthand with a sweet, caring, bubbly voice and demeanor of a true Christian. In her on words she proclaims:
I'm Marla, your RSD Coach™ I have embraced and have been empowered by RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) since 2003. While we all experience RSD a little bit differently, but we all feel pain, isolation, unworthiness, and depression at some point, I know them very well. Using RSD Coaching™ techniques, I will show you how to break free and live your life to the fullest. This is not just for those of us who suffer with RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), but also for those of us who suffer with MS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome as well, because they all cause a great deal of pain and mental stress.
Amazon.com is donating 5 to 15 percent of each purchase of the book Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me made through the MSworld.org link below to the MSworld.org cause.
http://www.msworld.org/html/lifeinterrupted_Tatevosian.htm
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Your occupation vs. your spiritual vocation
Your occupation vs. your spiritual vocation by Chris Tatevosian
I have written a book that I believe glorifies God. I have shared numerous discussions and held book signings at Christian churches, libraries, coffee houses and bookstores here in Massachusetts and my goal in each has been the same. That is to help those struggling with a similar situation as mine.
Allow me to introduce myself ,”Life Interrupted-It’s Not All About Me”, by Chris Tatevosian is my real life story dealing with marriage interrupted by multiple sclerosis. It could have been any chronic illness or disability or anybody’s relationship, but my goal for writing this book is the same. My goal is to help others in similar situations recognize and eliminate the growth of the relationship destroying the “poor me” attitude; which frequently accompanies chronic illnesses.
Much of this information within the book may seem obvious, but as I learned the hard way, the obvious becomes clouded when life is interrupted by chronic illness or disability. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis over twenty-seven years ago, when I was a freshman in college. The disease would eventually result in the demise of my marriage. Whether you are the patient, a family member and or the caregiver this book is for you. If by writing this book, just one relationship is benefited it will have been a success and well worth exposing my past, literally making my life an open book.
By sharing my actual experiences with chronic illness and divorce I hope to provide others with the knowledge, awareness and understanding intended to help them avoid making the same relationship destroying mistakes that I did by dealing more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on a relationship when life is interrupted by chronic illness or disability.
So, how does your occupation vs. your vocation find its way to being the title of such an article you ask? First, we must differentiate between the two. Your occupation is what you do to make money…..your job. Your vocation is a gift that you posses which you choose to utilize to please God. For example, you may be a gifted artist, singer, writer or homebuilder whatever it is, it is a gift from God that we as people turn around and utilize to please God by showing others His glorious love at work within us. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?
I have written a book that I believe glorifies God. I have shared numerous discussions and held book signings at Christian churches, libraries, coffee houses and bookstores here in Massachusetts and my goal in each has been the same. That is to help those struggling with a similar situation as mine.
Allow me to introduce myself ,”Life Interrupted-It’s Not All About Me”, by Chris Tatevosian is my real life story dealing with marriage interrupted by multiple sclerosis. It could have been any chronic illness or disability or anybody’s relationship, but my goal for writing this book is the same. My goal is to help others in similar situations recognize and eliminate the growth of the relationship destroying the “poor me” attitude; which frequently accompanies chronic illnesses.
Much of this information within the book may seem obvious, but as I learned the hard way, the obvious becomes clouded when life is interrupted by chronic illness or disability. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis over twenty-seven years ago, when I was a freshman in college. The disease would eventually result in the demise of my marriage. Whether you are the patient, a family member and or the caregiver this book is for you. If by writing this book, just one relationship is benefited it will have been a success and well worth exposing my past, literally making my life an open book.
By sharing my actual experiences with chronic illness and divorce I hope to provide others with the knowledge, awareness and understanding intended to help them avoid making the same relationship destroying mistakes that I did by dealing more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on a relationship when life is interrupted by chronic illness or disability.
So, how does your occupation vs. your vocation find its way to being the title of such an article you ask? First, we must differentiate between the two. Your occupation is what you do to make money…..your job. Your vocation is a gift that you posses which you choose to utilize to please God. For example, you may be a gifted artist, singer, writer or homebuilder whatever it is, it is a gift from God that we as people turn around and utilize to please God by showing others His glorious love at work within us. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Amazon.com and MSworld.org link up to raise money for the cause
A book review written by MS world.org reviewer, Liz Thompson, has been posted at MS world.org visit the link below by clicking on or pasting the link into your browser: http://www.msworld.org/html/lifeinterrupted_Tatevosian.htm and when you click on the book cover or the Amazon link at the end, it links to Amazon to order your book and Amazon.com will donate 5 to 15 percent to MSworld.org I would love to get this information about my book out to folks, so if you could help me by sharing the following link with others, that would be fantastic. Please put the information on as many web sites, message boards and individual's e-mails as possible.Check it out and God bless, Chris
Thursday, November 29, 2007
A Funny Story
A funny story, maybe!
Recently I held a discussion and book signing at the Hopkinton public library in Hopkinton MA. During the question-and-answer segment of our discussion, one of the participants, the only person present with MS, asked a question beginning with the statement; “I’m amazed, and excited to know that after all that you have been through, you are now remarried. How did that happen, because as you said you are worse physically today than during your first marriage? And, what changed, I mean what was the turning point that allowed you to move forward and get remarried?”
Of course, I knew exactly what she meant, because at one time I had the very same concern with which she was referring. At the point that my wife first wanted to divorce, I had an inner dialogue that went something like this: O’kay Chris, you have what is now becoming severe MS, who’s going to want to marry someone with MS? No one is going to want to marry damaged goods. I am sure that I was not the first one .to ever have this inner dialogue. It’s a real fear.
I met my then wife to be, Jane, through an online dating service and she was totally aware of my disability. After we had gone on our first date I remember asking her, why would anyone get involved with damaged goods? Why would anyone purchase a vase with a crack in the bottom? Jane’s response was “maybe, I need one to hold my dried flowers”. All she wanted was “kindness and love” no anger, just kindness and love. It helps that we both have the same goofy sense of humor. We laugh and laugh together and at one another all the time. Sure, I have slipped ups, get frustrated and angry, the difference is that I have written, re-written, read and re-read. my book so many times that when I do begin to slip-up it’s so obvious that I can’t help but catch myself. And let’s not forget, Jane has read the book so when I slip up she’s quick to point out “Chris, I think you need to revisit page 52 “and we have a good chuckle. Remember life is too short, you choose whether to smile or argue.. We were married a year later and life is fantastic. Jane is the most wonderful, loving and caring person that I had ever known. If I had listened to my inner dialogue, I would never have met my wife, Jane, the woman of my dreams. Never give up.
God bless,
Chris
Recently I held a discussion and book signing at the Hopkinton public library in Hopkinton MA. During the question-and-answer segment of our discussion, one of the participants, the only person present with MS, asked a question beginning with the statement; “I’m amazed, and excited to know that after all that you have been through, you are now remarried. How did that happen, because as you said you are worse physically today than during your first marriage? And, what changed, I mean what was the turning point that allowed you to move forward and get remarried?”
Of course, I knew exactly what she meant, because at one time I had the very same concern with which she was referring. At the point that my wife first wanted to divorce, I had an inner dialogue that went something like this: O’kay Chris, you have what is now becoming severe MS, who’s going to want to marry someone with MS? No one is going to want to marry damaged goods. I am sure that I was not the first one .to ever have this inner dialogue. It’s a real fear.
I met my then wife to be, Jane, through an online dating service and she was totally aware of my disability. After we had gone on our first date I remember asking her, why would anyone get involved with damaged goods? Why would anyone purchase a vase with a crack in the bottom? Jane’s response was “maybe, I need one to hold my dried flowers”. All she wanted was “kindness and love” no anger, just kindness and love. It helps that we both have the same goofy sense of humor. We laugh and laugh together and at one another all the time. Sure, I have slipped ups, get frustrated and angry, the difference is that I have written, re-written, read and re-read. my book so many times that when I do begin to slip-up it’s so obvious that I can’t help but catch myself. And let’s not forget, Jane has read the book so when I slip up she’s quick to point out “Chris, I think you need to revisit page 52 “and we have a good chuckle. Remember life is too short, you choose whether to smile or argue.. We were married a year later and life is fantastic. Jane is the most wonderful, loving and caring person that I had ever known. If I had listened to my inner dialogue, I would never have met my wife, Jane, the woman of my dreams. Never give up.
God bless,
Chris
Accelerated Cure Newsletter
Life Interrupted Addresses Relationship Issues and MS
Submitted by Chris Ratliff on Mon, 2007-11-19 08:02.
While a freshman at Johnson State College in Vermont, Chris Tatevosian was diagnosed with MS. He graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and a minor in Chemistry. For seven years, he was an analytical chemical technician before becoming an occupational safety coordinator/consultant.
“My disease was relapsing remitting up until 1990,” Chris says. “That was the year I began dating the woman who would eventually become my wife. Everything was tremendous until I suffered a major exacerbation in May 1993, at which time I became disabled and unable to work. After several difficult years, we were divorced. It was one of the darkest times of my life.”
In his recently published book, Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me, Chris shares the details of his life with MS before, during, and after his first marriage. This candid memoir examines the ways in which the author’s destructive attitude and inability to cope cost him his marriage. Chris hopes his story might help others make more of an effort to communicate effectively with their loved ones and not allow disability and low self-worth to destroy their relationships. Chris also writes about his faith in God, his experiences with bee venom therapy, and his fiancée, Jane, to whom he is now married.
Life Interrupted: It's Not All About Me, is self-published and available at booksurge.com and Amazon.com.
REFERENC LISTED BELOW:
Did you see the write up at Accelerated Cure? Click the link:
http://www.acceleratedcure.org:8080/node/2970
Sincerely Yours,Christine RatliffEditor, MSFocusThe Multiple Sclerosis Foundation 6350 N. Andrews AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 33309954-776-6805888-MSFOCUS
Submitted by Chris Ratliff on Mon, 2007-11-19 08:02.
While a freshman at Johnson State College in Vermont, Chris Tatevosian was diagnosed with MS. He graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and a minor in Chemistry. For seven years, he was an analytical chemical technician before becoming an occupational safety coordinator/consultant.
“My disease was relapsing remitting up until 1990,” Chris says. “That was the year I began dating the woman who would eventually become my wife. Everything was tremendous until I suffered a major exacerbation in May 1993, at which time I became disabled and unable to work. After several difficult years, we were divorced. It was one of the darkest times of my life.”
In his recently published book, Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me, Chris shares the details of his life with MS before, during, and after his first marriage. This candid memoir examines the ways in which the author’s destructive attitude and inability to cope cost him his marriage. Chris hopes his story might help others make more of an effort to communicate effectively with their loved ones and not allow disability and low self-worth to destroy their relationships. Chris also writes about his faith in God, his experiences with bee venom therapy, and his fiancée, Jane, to whom he is now married.
Life Interrupted: It's Not All About Me, is self-published and available at booksurge.com and Amazon.com.
REFERENC LISTED BELOW:
Did you see the write up at Accelerated Cure? Click the link:
http://www.acceleratedcure.org:8080/node/2970
Sincerely Yours,Christine RatliffEditor, MSFocusThe Multiple Sclerosis Foundation 6350 N. Andrews AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 33309954-776-6805888-MSFOCUS
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