Meredith Vieira & Richard Cohen, Betty White, "The Help's" Octavia Spencer
Anderson sits down with Meredith Vieira and her husband, Richard Cohen, who has been battling MS for over 40 years. They have an honest and insightful conversation about life, family, Richard's struggle with MS, and what Meredith has been up to since leaving "Today."
Information on Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Later, the incredibly funny and unpredictable Betty White stops by to talk about her successful new show on TV Land, "Hot in Cleveland." Betty says she's "the luckiest broad on two feet." She also talks with Anderson about being the last remaining "Golden Girl," turning 90 in January, how she stays so young, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," her crush on Robert Redford, Facebook and more.
Plus, it's the movie stirring Oscar buzz... "The Help's" breakout star Octavia Spencer sits down with Anderson to share her experience working on the movie. She also brings a special surprise for the audience.
Win "The Help" on BluRay Combo Pack
Comments
OMG, I hope I can be as sassy and sharp as Betty when I get to be her age. What a beautiful person.
I, too, have multiple sclerosis. I was diagnosed in May 1990 at the age of 33. I have lived with the disease for over 22 years. My disease began as relapsing/remitting and shortly turned into secondary progressive. I'm unable to walk, move my right arm, sit up by myself, among other things. I have faced the frustrations, stereotypes, and obstacles that Richard Cohan has faced. I admire his upbeat attitude and his humor. He is also very lucky that his wife Meredith has committed herself to her marriage and family above career. My husband was less than supportive and liked to use me as an excuse for not doing things. I also think he was jealous of the attention I got from family and friends. After 24 years of marriage, I finally found the strength and encourage to divorce him.My best friend from Dublin, Ohio, got me through the tough times of my marriage and has remained my friend for 25 years. I used to call him to complain about my frustrations. He urged me and encouraged me to write a book about my feelings. I titled my book Angel with Attitude (subtitled “Living with Multiple Sclerosis or Other Diseases/Disabilities with Courage, Humor, and Attitude”). My friend encouraged me to get the book published. It has been nationally published by publishamerica.com and can be purchased online from their website and from amazon.com and barnes&noble.com. Writing the book has helped me to maintain a positive attitude about my disease. I use humor just as Meredith Viera and Richard Cohan do to defuse awkward situations and to subtly indicate to others that I am a real person who can think for myself. I loved Richard's comment to the usher in the movie theater that he “had just learned English.” I know what it's like to have people address my caregiver instead of me. Frustrating! Overall, I really enjoyed the portion of the show about Meredith and Richard and multiple sclerosis. I could relate to so much of what they said. It was wonderful to hear how they support each other emotionally and their dedication to each other and their family. I appreciate, Mr. Cooper, that you had Meredith and Richard on your show to discuss a disease that affects so many people. I love your show and watch it as often as I can.
I do so enjoy this show. I always watch Anderson Cooper 360... as I find it so informative. He has such a good manner. Love the show.
I actually enjoyed this show...human finitude is hard to deal with especially since traditional consolations are waning,often they exist as ideas and not really emotionally believed. I recall Socrates,that teacher of ancient religion and morals...who was imprisoned and 'shocked' and felt the abrupt decision absurd and done away with a glass of hemlock..this is kind of an extreme example..but people are often shocked with sickness or some tragedy and how deeply felt are there consolations. What really lies beyond the world of time-space experience...betty white i've seen in all her renditions and she may be as bawdy as the imagination can conceive her...but heartwarming and congenial and memorable since you actually recall her humor she's just a great comedienne and she had such resonance with audience's that producers were anxious to have her on board...i recall her on password too
I have M.S. and say thank you for the positive remarks about M.S. and a realistic picture of this disease.
Enoyed tremendously the visit with Betty White, a Missouri gal and always a joyful inspiration. I didn't know she was an animal enthusiast as well, besides her top-notch sense of humor. She is a real trooper. Only wish I knew her personally!
Aging Mid-Missouri Gal ( also dedicated to animals and their well-being!) SR
Wow! another inspiring story! I was injured at work and had a herniated disk that needed to come out but in the process of all the red tape, one doctor wanted an MRI of my neck, which then they wanted an MRI of my brain, and a diagnosis of MS! I had seen the last stages of ALS which is also a neurological disease and it is not something that most people can stand to watch! so for the last 2 years I have been in the midst of chaos! I wasn't going to watch television today because I felt good enough to actually clean my own house my way! But sometimes God intervenes and sends us to do something or listen to something for a message! I just wanted to say thank you, Meridith Vieria and Richard Cohen for the inspirations! I needed that today!
We recently lost my youngest brother to progressive MS on May 30,2012. He was only 38 yrs old. He left behind a wife Christine and a 7 yr old son Christopher. At first my brother would joke about the illness, trying to keep his and Christine's spirits up as best as possible. It was not always easy for them. They struggled financially and had a hard time getting help from the State and or County levels. Then Christine found out she was pregnant. My brother was not happy at first because he did not want to pass this affliction on to his child. But when Christopher was born, it was one of the happiest moments in his life. At that time my brother was pretty much confined to a wheel chair. Over the next 7 years, he became worse to the point that he was completely bed ridden for the last 3 yrs. My sister-in-law Christine continued to take care of him while trying to take care of a child and work. It was very hard and the families, both ours and hers helped as best as we could. She had nurse aids come and sit with him for a few hours a week while she worked. Christine is one of the strongest persons I know. Watching someone you love slowly dying and still trying to make their lives joyful and as pain free as possible is very difficult. Trying to explain to a child that daddy is never going to get better and preparing this same child to accept what will come is huge. As the illness got worse, my brother Michael was not the easiest person to deal with, but Christine managed. I just wanted to put this out there and say how much I admire and LOVE my sister-in-law Christine for everything she did to make my brothers life the best it could have been. I miss my brother, but I know that he is no longer in pain and that helps. I know that Christine and Christopher are still struggling financially and wish that I could help them, but I can not. So I just want her to know that she is LOVED and RESPECTED. Thank you Cherylann Hovatter (Jarrett)
Meredith Viera and husband Richard, as a "family" living with Multiple Sclerosis, were interesting. However, MS audience member #2, a cute perky youngish female and her snap shot picture of, "Oh yeah, I have MS and I run half marathons", missed communicating some very critical components, of the effects of having MS over time. MS is not a one time, visible snap shot picture disease, for all to many it is: Progressive, Degenerative and Irreversible! There is also, "The what if possibilities become realities Demon", between your ears: What if I can no longer control my arms or legs, What if I can no longer see, What if I can no longer control my bodily functions, What if my spouse leaves me, What if I can not work, What if .... Having to accept these possibilities is it any surprise Depression is also a major problem. These over sights and the subsequent misperceptions left in peoples minds is far removed from the reality of day to day living for the vast majority of the over 400,000 MS patients, in the US, and their "families" as they strive to cope with the basic necessities of everyday living. As a viewer, I found it very disappointing and extremely misleading that you would allow this misperception and let your audience presume this 1/2 truth to be reality, on national TV. For all to many patients, Multiple Sclerosis is a chronically progressive disabling disease, and that is reality!
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 30 years ago. I was also a competitive athlete until 10 years ago when due to muscle atrophy related to MS, I was forced to retire. For the previous 18 years I had been training for and competing in International open ocean competitive swimming events where typically after swimming all out for up to 3 miles you then sprint up the beach the last 50 yards to the finish line. This is in stark contrast to last year, when I was in Hawaii and got in the ocean for a brief swim, afterwords in trying to get out, my legs absolutely would not negotiate the transition from the ocean back to the beach, until I was rescued by an unknown angel* on the beach who saw me flopping around and offered me her hand. For far too many, this time lapse picture would be a far more accurate depiction of the reality of living with the chronically progressive symptoms of MS. If you can perceive being an open ocean swimming competitive athlete as requiring great amounts of stamina and fortitude, then know, being a Multiple Sclerosis patient is exponentially tougher - and that perception is reality!
And that might be a whole truth worth communicating.
Steven Ruble
*literally and figuratively, she had wings tattooed on her back
Nana, thank you :-). I just get so frustrated when people shoot off, without their 'facts'. I read the posts then started my research. Just as I figured........Ms. Weintraub isn't now nor has she ever lived 'upstate NY'. By that I mean truly Northern NY, as in Albany, NY and points north. As we true natives refer to upstate. She resides in Chappaqua, N.Y which is located in Westchester County, basically a "burb" of NYC. What she went through having her families lyme disease diagnosed is typical, as it's not as prevalent down state as it is up here.
The Dr. (Horowitz) is also a downstate doctor (Hyde Park) and appears to be a holistic practioner, fine if it works. But in no way is he qualified to be treating any MS patient. IMHO
Jan's one of the lucky ones, her "MS turned out to be Lyme disease". She should count her blessings and pray for the others who aren't or weren't as lucky as her.
Mr. Cooper I just want to aplolgize for using this forum to request being in the drawing for the movie tickets, and not really speaking about MS which I do have. I unfortunatly came in at the end of the show, so I did not really hear enough about what was said to comment. I did watch what you had on the site, but I still used this time for other issues, please forgive me. I do no*****ch the show regularly, I'm usually at school, but I will try to watch it more when I'm home. You have a great show from what I've seen. keep up the great work! Annie Middleton
I loved the show today. Richard and Meredith were absolutely inspirational! Even though I don't have MS,I do have achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism.) That by itself is nothing too difficult to handle; however combined with the back problems (spinal stenosis)is complicated. I just had by 5th back surgery, still not walking yet and getting ready to go back as an inpatient to a rehab facility for i/p therapy.
Richard's story was so encouraging. His willingness to share his story and remind us that even though we have different struggles in life, we all have something to deal with in this life.
Ii thought your show today was great. It is inspiring how Meredith Vieira and her husband have delt with his illnes. As a lupus patient with a sister with MS, I know too well what it is like to have to give up things that you can no longer accomplish. You have to just look for other things to involve your self in the community and with others. Leading a fulfilling life and going out into the world with a smile and randoming having conversations with people has really helped me stay focused on the positive.
Dear Anderson; I am watching your show today as I do everyday when I return from my morning route,(bus driver). I really have enjoyed your new show as well as all your doing(a fan). You had Meredith Veara and her precious husband, as your guest. I was very impressed of how they are handleing their life's with MS. I have a nephew who's wife has MS. They live in a single wide trailer. It has 2 bedrooms, and they have 3 children, 15, 8, 5. She is in stage 4 of her condition. She has had this for about 7 years maybe more. Not quit 2 years ago my nephew himself was diagnosed with MS. It a very unusaul situation. Both parent sick with this terrible disease. My nephew had an exprence this summer(2011)of going completly blind. It passed with treatments. I was just wondering if you might be interested in their story?
Brenda Jester
1550 Yellowstone Ave.No.111
Pocatello, ID 83201
208-904-4294
gmajester@yahoo.com
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