b'Alyssa MonbrayKellogg, IdahoMy father, Tim, has exceeded in his care and help that he hasgiven to me while I live with relapsing MS. Weekly, he shows upunannounced to help clean, watch my young daughter, get groceries,and do yard work. He drives more than an hour to do all this, andcalls me multiple times a day to simply say he loves me and to makesure I have everything I need. My father lives and breathes empathy,compassion, and service. Without his example and love, life with MSwould be so much heavier. Grateful for my daddy always!Cynthia BellWoodland Hills, Calif.I have progressive MS and am pretty much bed-ridden sinceI cannot transfer myself from my bed without assistance. I livewith my sister, Brenda, and she is my primary caregiver. Shesuers with an autoimmune disease, scleroderma, which has itsown challenges. She works six hours a day, ve days a week, andthen comes home to help me. My brother, Mike, comes duringthe day to help me. Their dedication to help me enables me toremain at home and not have to go to an assisted living facility,which would break my heart. I am so thankful for their willingnessto help me. They are the number one caregivers in my book.Roger PiedSalem, Mass.For the past 53 years I have had the pleasure of being married to themost beautiful woman I know. Martha has had the role of wife, motherto our four children, and my best friend. However, for the last 29 years,she has also been my caregiver. My battle with MS has taken a toll onboth of us. As we grow older, my wife also struggles with her ownpains and has recently even undergone a hip surgery. Despite all ofthis, she has always been there for me when I needed herand hasdone so with no hesitation. It is her love and words of encouragementthat help me through each day with this disease. With my condition,there is very little I can do to show her my appreciation andadoration for her. But she has all ofmy heart, and, with all she does for me, I know I have hers. 31 msfocusmagazine.org'