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In NYC to see my medical specialist and also participate in a study pertaining to my specific illness, I was privileged to be a last minute member of your audience for the taping, of all things, your interview with Meredith Vieira and Richard Cohen! Thank you for having a show which addressed the challenges of those suffering with chronic illness. There is such a great void of understanding between healthy people and those silently suffering with chronic and often debilitating illnesses. The testimony of what Mr. Cohen has been through and the positive approach he and his family take to living with the challenges they face, makes great headway into giving understanding to the general public – and friends and family. As someone living with a chronic illness for 21 years, not MS but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (which does have overlapping symptoms with MS), and Fibromyalgia, I was very touched to hear Mr. Cohen’s testimony. I especially applaud his positive approach to life and his willingness to "keep plugging". It is the only way to go. My personal journey is one from being a professional on the executive fast track in a large corporation to being on permanent disability and frequently bedridden. I was able to relate with many of Mr. Cohen’s experiences. As an educated and athletic individual, I literally mourned years ago the death of my “old self” due to my inability to do the work that was my life, to participate in the sports I love, and for the marked loss in cognitive functioning. Personally going this alone, I applaud Ms. Vieira for her compassion toward her husband and for seeing the man that he is and not the illness that might otherwise define him. He is truly blessed to have her. I am blessed in that my support comes from the Lord and the hope He offers, and from the love and joy provided by the rescue animals I share my home with. It is rare to have a voice – and Mr. Cohen and Ms. Vieira provided that voice on your show. Thank you Mr. Cohen for your candidness. Mr. Cooper, I hope you do more shows in the future that relate the daily experiences of those suffering with illnesses, many of which are often invisible to the average public, and the uplifting positive message of fighting, coping, and moving forward. God bless!