This is the story of one man's battle with Multiple Sclerosis. The Gift is a compelling personal memoir of both human frailty and the struggle to accept a rather harsh reality. Acceptance comes slowly as the author surrenders his perceived need for confidentiality and slowly turns his efforts from obscuring the truth to embracing it. In its early stages, M.S. often promotes secrecy and denial. While a certain amount of denial may be advantageous, one must achieve a precarious balance. Many, including the author, struggle to strike that balance.
Any perceived lack of compassion is often the result of ignorance. People cannot understand an issue if they do not know of its existence. The Gift is the author's meager attempt to help foster understanding. While coming to grips with reality, the author is somewhat surprised to discover that remarkable humans surround him. They exist everywhere. They surround us all. The result is that from a lofty, though rickety, perch, he is allowed to witness the gargantuan human spirit in action. It soars.
