Obama / stem cells
Welcome, and thank you for reading again. In this latest blog I’ll mention issues which are loosely connected (at least in my mind), namely the Obama administration and the increasing relevance of stem cell research.
Firstly and unashamedly I’m a fan of Barack Obama. Because I live in Australia however I do not need to immerse myself in US domestic politics, as it doesn’t directly impact on me. In that regard I shall strive to keep this site free of partisan political issues. What does impact directly on me however are scientific developments and potential developments which augur well for the treatment of, and recovery from, MS. And this is where, for me, the election of Barack Obama becomes interesting.
You might recall earlier this year the big news item was that the Obama parents bought a puppy for the girls. I say “big news item” seriously because the at-times-flippancy of the media elevates small stories into big ones. While that may have been the case here, I feel without any cynicism that the world needs lightweight harmless good news stories now and again. Otherwise we tend to forget our collective humanity – and two innocent kids getting a puppy, at arguably the most important residential address in the world, is both a heart-warming story and by the public’s appetite a big one. The relevance of this however to MS is more subtle. Michelle Obama was raised in Chicago and was very close to her father, who by all accounts was loving, aspirational, and worked hard in the interest of his kids having a better life than he did. His nickname “(Bo) Diddley” is where the puppy Bo derives its name from – and, according to my newspaper, Fraser Robinson “worked shifts at the city water plant despite the multiple sclerosis which was crippling him”. Michelle Obama then, as a consequence, brought to the White House an acute appreciation of life with MS.
Eight months later in July this year it was announced that medical researchers around the world would have access to US funds for embryonic stem cell research. This was an Obama initiative overturning a presidential ban by George Bush on funding some 8 years earlier. Proponents of the research grants were ecstatic, believing embryonic stem cells are at the cutting edge of regenerative medicine and are likely to be proven beneficial for mainstream treatment of debilitating diseases such as MS, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. I have in that regard read the two books written by the actor Michael J Fox about his illness and from that reading appreciate how hard he lobbied for such research, and how pleased he was with the Obama decision on funding.
I share such pleasure and optimism, and believe the era we live in will bring important medical advances – and the speed at which that will happen might well be breathtaking. As an example, and overlapping with embryonic stem cell research we have wider new stem cell developments generally – such as the field of induced pluripotency where patient’s cells can be reprogrammed into embryonic stem cells.
My training is as a lawyer, not a scientist or ethicist. I can only observe these developments from the sideline – from there however I see developments such as that which occurred last week, where a 19 year old youth in Australia at death’s door had his MS symptoms reversed and made a recovery, after receiving modified stem cells, which could only be described as spectacular. I see in that article that the risk of death has reduced in recent times from 8% to 1%, and there is a 60 to 80% chance downward progress can be halted. I also noted, after I set up my own blog site, that there is a very good blog by another “Ken” … Ken’s MS Blog by a Canadian gentleman which covers his stem cell treatment in China. He has also posted a YouTube video on his experience. And incidentally I know a woman who is currently visiting Cologne Germany having stem cell treatment. I wish her my very best wishes, and hope when I see her in the new year she’ll be able to beat me hands-down in our walking-stick races down the corridor. 
All of this research is good news, and augurs well for the future in relation to scientific intervention to improve MS. It is particularly optimistic news for people with advanced, highly debilitating MS. If you have read my blogs to date, you will know that I am also an adherent to the MS diet advocated (and in my view proven) by medical practitioners such as Professor George Jelinek in Australia and the late great Dr Roy Swank in Oregon – coupled with the therapies of meditation/ regular exercise/ physiotherapy/ and yoga. I do not believe in “fighting” MS, either fighting per se or by tackling MS by any one discipline alone (such as science), but rather feel that a multi-pronged approach to treatment is the best – and I believe these therapies are fundamental to such an approach.
Hi Ken, I work with your cousin Wendy Gallagher and she sent me your blog info. Brief history: diagnosed in 2002 with MS but still able to work full-time and walk with the aid of a cane. Severe relapse in June 2008 has left me unable to walk without a wheeled walker and then for only about 20m. I was off work for six months but commenced a return to work plan in February 2009 end and now up to 20 hours per week. I have been able to reach this with the support of my workplace and also the funding of an electric wheelchair through job access work modifications scheme which is a Commonwealth government scheme. The chair has also given me much more independence on the weekends as well. I still live by myself however, get my groceries from IGA-I phoned them and they get the groceries together and deliver to my door for a fee of $11 which is fantastic. I also get cleaning done once per fortnight by Ozcare. It is amazing what is available out there but you only find out about it when you need it yourself. I totally agree that the stem cell story was very encouraging however I wonder how long before it is available to everyone. I just wanted to touch base but will keep an eye on your blog which has some very informative information and links on it. Take care until next time, Vicky
Hi Vicky, and yes Cousin Wendy said she had a friend in the hills of Toowoomba with MS … great to hear from you. It’s the progressive nature of the disease which most plays with my head, and which I believe something can be done about – with the diet in particular. I look forward to adding more on point on my blog site and hope you keep reading. In the meantime, all the best, KB.
Hi Ken, Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog, http://lenasmsrecovery.blogspot.com/, so that I was able to find yours. I’m pleased to hear about things that are happening in the area of stem cell research. Like you, I’m a fan of Obama and feel that things will be much better for everyone now with him in the white House. I’ve had MS for 29 years and have almost fully recovered since starting on a program of fitness training as a solution. I can’t help thinking that a weight training program as a management regime for anyone who has MS now is a far better option than allowing the muscles to degenerate. Stay well Ken, Lena.
Hi Lena, that is HIGHLY inspiring .. thank you for that. I haven’t been to the gym for 4wks and feel my legs have deteriorated. I believe there’s a great lesson in your experience for me and for anyone reading this blog. I’ll include a link to your website and encourage everyone to read it too. Thanks & regards, best wishes KB
Hi, Ken. Elizabeth here. I’m Australian, too (originally Qld) and have also attended a retreat with the wonderful Prof George Jelinek. Having had MS for over 10 years, I was delighted to meet such hope with positive action suggestions. I only just recently discovered your blog and I’m really enjoying it. Thanks very much for your time and positive, intelligent input into this topic. Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth .. I’m really pleased that you have found my blog useful and have enjoyed it – such comments make it all worthwhile. I intend to keep adding to the blog every week or two. As you’d know there’s nothing artificial or “snake oil” about George Jelinek – just intelligently positive, and *highly* useful, information on halting the downward progression of MS. While I’m optimistic re stem cell research and medicinal developments generally, I have no hesitation in believing that diet, exercise, and lifestyle issues – advocated by people like George – are by far the outstanding success stories for MS management to date. Incidentally I am also impressed by the comment by Lena (above, and on her website) on her particular experience with exercise. My best wishes, KB.