“Everything surrounding this sucky illness is just so bizarre, you have to laugh to keep your sanity.” ~ Yvonne deSousa
MS had me feeling a little frazzled the other day. So I decided to go to the movies for a good laugh. I picked the comedy Trainwreck. It was written by and stars Amy Schumer. Schumer is a new comedian. Well, new to me. She’s actually pretty popular and been around for a few years.
I’m such a nerd; before I see any movie I do research. I usually delve into the plot and explore background information on the actors and director. To my surprise I found out Amy Schumer’s father has MS. I read articles where she openly discusses it.
In one interview* Schumer was asked, “Does having a parent with MS affect your dating life?”
She replied, “When it comes to dating, MS affects your relationships for sure. Everybody I meet and I’m like, ‘Yeah, he’s cool, but would, like, would I push him in a wheelchair? You know, would I want him to push me?”
Later in the interview Schumer said, “It’s the most painful thing in the world to just watch this person that you love ultimately just digress and kind of decompose. And it’s too heavy and you have to find a way to laugh at it.”
After hearing that reply, I knew I had to see her movie. So I explained the MS connection to my husband and he graciously took me to see the film. And I wasn’t disappointed. I laughed out loud at least a dozen times. I must admit the movie was vulgar, juvenile, and crass. So it’s probably not for everyone. But it worked for me. It revitalized an otherwise depressed moment in my day.
At any given time, MS can suck. I mean suck the life right out of a room. Through laughter, Trainwreck put some hope back in the air and I inhaled it all up. Thank goodness I have a new ally in Amy Schumer.
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*Photo from Amy Schumer Facebook page
*Interview by Mo Rocca for CBS Sunday Morning With Charles Osgood
I saw this movie to try and cheer up after finding out my 15-year-old beautiful, smart, athletic daughter had an 80 percent chance of being diagnosed with MS. I was pissed because I was trying to get my mind off MS, so I felt blindsided when I saw it and found out Amy Shumer’s father in real life has MS. A month later my daughter did get a diagnosis. I’m still pissed–not at Amy Shumer–just at everything in general.
Great idea Nicole! Will definitely seek out that movie… anything for a laugh to interrupt the audacity of this disease to try and take away our laughter!! Love your attitude of giving this uninvited visitor a swift kick.
Loved this movie! Gave me a chance to laugh too! So important.
So excited to have a quote from MS Madness! posted in a blog that talks about the awesomeness that is Amy Schumer! Laughter really is a super fun coping mechanism!
I loved your book, it is very helpful to find allies like you both to share your experiences to help me live my, “new” life. 🙂
Good for you, Nicole. I am so glad you were able to found something to lift you for awhile. I try to find humor to keep my mental in a positive state. They say Laughter is good for our body’s systems and our whole general well being. Take good care!