I MISS ME

A young man recounts his struggle with multiple sclerosis.

When debut author Boulton woke up one morning and couldn’t feel his legs, he was alarmed but assumed his condition would quickly resolve itself on its own. After all, he was young (in his 20s), active and healthy. Physicians at his local clinic suspected MS, but they could offer little help as his symptoms worsened. Numerous doctor visits and tests later, he was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, a disease of unknown cause and without a cure. While the official diagnosis cleared up some of the confusion, it didn’t offer relief from the hard-to-treat condition. Fiercely independent, Boulton struggled to manage his symptoms on his own but was eventually admitted to the hospital, having lost the ability to move freely, see clearly, taste and even speak. Thus began his remarkable road to recovery. While the first weeks in the hospital were difficult, Boulton was determined to get better. Slowly, his condition improved, aided by the support of his family, girlfriend and friends. At a rehab clinic, he re-mastered the basic functions of daily life and, less than a year after his symptoms first appeared, was discharged. He was still fighting MS but was well on his way to recovery. Boulton’s tale of his battle with a mysterious illness is frightening, and his descriptions of his frustration, fear and anger as he gradually lost his health and his freedom bring that experience to life. The prose never scintillates, but Boulton’s smart, forthright tone makes him easy to root for. The book brims with details, sometimes mundane. But these facts also work to elucidate the challenges of adapting to life with a serious chronic illness. Detailed accounts, for example, of how long it takes to complete once-simple tasks, like showering, give a sense of how dramatically the author’s life had changed. Also welcome would be a few more facts about the nature of the disease itself, different treatments and Boulton’s long-term prognosis. But overall, this is a compelling story of a successful battle with a devastating illness.

An engaging personal account that raises awareness of a still mysterious disease.