About The Author
Hi there. 🙂 I’m Rae.
I am a rock star at singing lullabyes, a mom to two fantastic children, and I live with multiple sclerosis, seizure disorder, and primary immune deficiency — but I do my best to keep it in perspective.
With my loving husband by my side, I fight against the forces of ennui and stuff that totally sucks.
It doesn’t always kick ass to be me, but I do my best to kick ass as often as possible.
About The Blog
Initially, when I came up with the concept for In It For The Parking, I was thinking I would document and discuss what life is like with MS… but then I realized that MS is different for everyone. Once I had a seizure disorder, I figured, “Hey! I’ll do a site for people with seizure disorder! Or with MS AND Seizure Disorder!” but that would mean that this site would exist for a very small handful of people.
So, I looked at my life, my friends, and what would make the biggest difference to my (at that time theoretical) readers. I realized that I didn’t know anyone who hasn’t at one time or another come into contact with chronic illness. Whether it’s cancer, leukemia, muscular dystrophy, autism, fibromyalgia, or any of the hundreds of other conditions that require sustained lifestyle changes, care-giving by family and friends, and a positive outlook.
“In It For The Parking” summarizes my attitude towards my disabilities. I always joke and say that I’m just in it for the parking – or in it for the perks (like riding the carts at the airport!).
Remembering that I am not defined by my illnesses and recognizing the benefits (whether hidden blessings or not) of my situation are two of the ways I cope with the changes in my life and the frustrations of being chronically ill.
This blog is all about my journey towards living well, finding happiness, and maintaining positive relationships.
I also write for Modern Day MS. You can find my articles here.
In It For The Parking 
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
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Love your blog Rae!
Thanks! 🙂
I stumbled across your blog and I really enjoy your writing. I was happy to read that you help people who are newly diagnosed (and kittens!). If you are at a place in your life where you could be a mentor/friend to someone I am looking for just that. I am clearly in a stupor and way out of my comfort zone, but for one reason or another I am compelled to bother you. I’m looking for guidance and the sheer genius of your blog name alone makes me feel like we might get along. You are welcome to email me and if now is not a good time for you, thank you on behalf of myself and all other annymous readers that are too shy to comment.
Thanks for posting! I’ll email you shortly.
I also stumbled across your blog today and am impressed by your writing style, sense of humor, and overall attitude toward chronic illness. As a fellow blogger (I write about golf; not nearly as serious as your topic of choice), I greatly appreciate your approach and conversational tone in your posts.
My wife was diagnosed with RRMS in December 2013. We are taking on this illness head-on — just as you are — and are glad to see that there are people like you who hold a similar attitude toward life as we do.
We will be reading your blog as much as we can. All the best.
Thanks, Adam! Sorry to hear that your wife’s a comrade-in-arms, but I’m glad that you found me. I haven’t been updating much in the last several months, but I’m gonna try to get better about that. Hope you’re having a great day!
I also stumbled across your blog today and am impressed by its tone, sense of humor, and overall positive attitude toward chronic illness. As a fellow blogger (I write about golf; not nearly as serious as your topic), I appreciate the conversational tone you take with your posts. If only more writers took the same approach.
My wife was recently diagnosed with RRMS in December 2014. Like you, we try to maintain a positive, slightly sarcastic attitude when it comes to battling the disease. We will read your blog as often as we can.
All the best, and good luck!
I found your blog while googling how long Gilenya stays in your system. I’d love to hear how you felt during pregnancy and right after.
Pregnancy was mostly awesome. It was like a vacation from MS. I went weeks at a time without seizures, and the pain in my legs disappeared. I no longer get tingles every day in my feet either. Right after was extremely difficult because I had a c-section. I had a ton of swelling, and had a full-on relapse about a month afterward. FWIW, I stopped Gilenya several months before we started trying for a baby.