News – Living With MS

Living With Multiple Sclerosis

Rick Simon — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 03:26:04 +0000

It’s finally here!

It’s a new name for my book.

The new title is “Living With Multiple Sclerosis: 11 Lessons I learned About Overcoming Obstacles.” It’s available on Amazon today as a Kindle or a paperback.

The old title was “Living Your Greatness: 9 Ways to Overcome Obstacles and Live Your Dreams.”

I changed the name because I realized that the title didn’t really communicate what the book was about.

No-one searches for “Living Your Greatness.” Many search for “Living with Multiple Sclerosis” when they find out they have, or their loved one has, MS.

The cover picture didn’t work either. The old one was an triumphant man “getting to the top” or “living his dreams.” But most people with MS are trying to figure out how to get through the day without falling down. The new picture shows him getting through life with support from his cane and a loved one. It too, is truer to the message of the book.

If you bought the first book, I don’t recommend buying the second. Most of the content is the same, not new. The original book had 9 “ways” to overcome obstacles plus 2 bonus “ways.” They correspond to the 11 lessons in the new version. The core chapters of the two books are exactly the same so you aren’t getting much in the second book that wasn’t in the first.

But if you haven’t read the first book, and would like some help living with Multiple Sclerosis, be sure to read the new book. You might as well learn the lessons that helped me.

Here is an excerpt from the Amazon product page:

“I have MS, but I’m going to do it anyway.” – Rick Simon
A young man learns that he has a debilitating disease but he still has things he wants to do. He wants to have a successful career, a good marriage and live a great life. He isn’t ready to give up.
Noone knows what causes his disease and there is no cure. So he struggles, for decades, to learn the lessons he needs to overcome his obstacles. If he fails, he will become an invalid, confined to a wheelchair or hospital bed, way too soon.
Rick Simon has been living with MS since 1982. He has had to overcome a lot of obstacles along the way.
Learn:
Three ways to handle personal catastrophes
Why positive focus is better than positive thinking.
Some pros and cons of using technology.
When to share and when to keep it a secret.
His book will have you overcoming obstacles so you can live your best life, with or without Multiple Sclerosis, and without spending decades learning how.

YEG MS Podcast

Rick Simon — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 20:38:46 +0000

I have become involved with the YEG MS podcast. Sean Wingrave created YEG MS years ago. Sean has been involved with The Canadian MS Society, started the “Really Long Run To End MS” and created ownmultiplesclerosis.com.

I started listening to podcasts during a period when I was having trouble with my vision. It was difficult for me to read, and sometimes even to watch videos. I started ‘reading’ audio books and listening to podcasts.

My vision is much better after some surgery, but I still enjoy listening. I also spend a lot of time on my computer, so it is nice to give my eyes a rest and just listen. I also enjoy listening while doing chores or driving. It is one of the few ways I can multitask.

I have lived with MS for a long time – since 1982, and I am always looking for ways to help others deal with life with MS. I’ve written a book, “Living Your Greatness: 9 Ways to Overcome Obstacles and Live Your Dreams.” I’ve created ricksimon360.com and have an email distribution list. I am ricksimonlife on Facebook and @rick_simon_life on twitter, but the best way to reach me is by email at rick@ricksimon360.com.

I considered starting a podcast of my own. Before starting, I checked for other MS related podcasts, and found several. This made me question whether I wanted to compete with other MS podcasts for listeners’ attention.

Then I thought “What if I could work with someone who was already doing an MS related podcast,” and I reached out to Sean. I’m not sure why I picked Sean. Maybe it is because he is from my city: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. YEG is the airport code for the Edmonton International Airport. Maybe it is because I like the conversational style of his podcast. Maybe it is because he helps other people tell the world about their experiences with MS.

Whatever the reason, when I reached out to Sean, he was open to us working together on YEG MS. We started with him interviewing me in Episode 58. Then he and I had a discussion on COVID 19 and MS in Episode 59. In Episode 60, I interview Barb Robb about her 22 years of experience with MS. You can find them on ownmultiplesclerosis.com, apple podcasts, spotify, and soundcloud, among others.

When a person tells others about their experiences, it seems to help both the person telling and the others listening. Everyone feels better.

If you would like to share your MS experiences with the world, please contact me.

If you would like me to speak to your virtual or live audience about my experiences with MS and the lessons I learned, please contact me.

Overcoming Obstacles

Rick Simon — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 23:01:52 +0000

Hi, I promised you that I was going to keep you up-to-date about how things were going with the revisions to my blog, the new edition of my book and how things are going for me.

To do that, I have decided to write a new type of blog. In the past, my blogs have all revolved around one of the chapters of my book. The purpose was to share book content of use to people who are having to overcome challenges.

I’m trying to do a lot of things right now so it feels like the progress I make in any one area is slow.

To give you an idea, I am working on my book, my website, and my public speaking career.

My wife and I are Airbnb Superhosts. She does the physical work but I manage listings and interact with our Airbnb guests.

My wife and I are working on a blog about how to make extra money from your spare room through Airbnb.

I do freelance work on Upwork, helping people set up WordPress websites.

It might sound like I’m complaining, but I’m not really. I’m glad to be doing all this stuff because it will make a difference. I have things I want to share and I’m finding as many ways as I can to share them.

Did I mention that I do all this while dealing with Multiple Sclerosis symptoms?

I was diagnosed in 1982 and worked a full-time job until 2017. In 2018, I found I couldn’t work full-time anymore. My MS was getting worse and I ended up on a disability pension.

Right now, my biggest MS obstacles are spasticity, getting enough sleep, and getting enough exercise. I need to exercise to keep my muscles from deteriorating further.

I can still walk, but I am very slow. To get around my home I use a cane or surf the walls and furniture. I use a walker for exercise. I have a mobility scooter that I use if I have to go very far.

It probably still feels like I’m complaining, but believe me, I’m not. I’m sharing the obstacles I am now working to overcome. Pretending I don’t have obstacles and I know how to solve yours would just be untrue. We all have obstacles in our lives. We can choose to give in and give up. If I do, my body will give out. I choose not to let that happen.

Perhaps knowing how I struggle through will help motivate you to do the same. Keep doing what you do. It will make a difference in the world!

Free Living Your Greatness Tele-Seminar

Rick Simon — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 05:58:03 +0000

Rick Simon, creator of the Living Your Greatness System is offering a free tele-seminar on January 7,2014 at 6:00 pm pacific time and 9:00 pm eastern time.

To sign up please go to http://ricksimon360.com/free-teleseminar/

Thanks, and I look forward to working with you.

Rick Simon – Life Breakthrough Expert

I have MS but MS doesn’t have me.

Your Privacy Is Protected

Rick Simon — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 03:07:47 +0000

We have always protected your privacy, but you will be pleased to know that our site now has a Privacy Statement! We’ve made it explicit. You will find it on the menu bar just before the CONTACTS option. Feel free to read it in detail.

In a nutshell, it says we will use any information you provide on the site solely to provide you service or communicate with you. We will never share your information with anyone unless required to by law.

You will be pleased to know that your privacy is protected!

Rick Simon – Life Breakthrough Expert

Welcome

Amber Cochran — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 22:38:04 +0000

Welcome to RickSimon360.com! My name is Rick Simon, and I am the creator of The Living Your Greatness System. The system focuses on 9 Strategies to Break Through Obstacles and Live Your Dreams. These strategies arose from 30 years of living with MS and having a lot of success anyway. I have MS, but MS doesn’t have me. Friends and people who heard my personal story said they were inspired and that I should share it with a larger audience. One of them called me a life breakthrough expert. For a long time I didn’t do anything about it, but then I came across Bill Walsh and his Millionaire Speakers Camp. That led to the creation of The Living Your Greatness System which, when complete will have a number of parts. Feel free to use what is useful and leave the rest.

In future blog posts it is my intention to share some of the strategies. There is also a free paper about the 9 strategies.