It's still March, so I'm not too late in posting this. Well, a little late, but fashionably so.
March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month (and actually, MS Awareness week was March 14-20, but I am personally behind about 5 weeks on everything right now, so on my calendar this post is actually EARLY)
Maybe you don't know what Multiple Sclerosis IS. Payton, my main character in SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD, did not until she learned about her father's diagnosis. Although I discuss some MS symptoms and terms in my book, it's a work of fiction and only one family's story. Every single MS case is different. So here are some places to learn more:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Mutiple Sclerosis Foundation
Multiple Sclerosis Research Center

And this video:


Before writing this book, I knew a few things about MS because of my father-in-law's diagnosis. I didn't know how debilitating the disease could be, or how prevalent: Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. I've also been surprised how many people know someone with MS. I've had some really touching emails come in from readers who've shared their experiences, reaffirming that again, every case is so different. Mothers, brothers, grandmothers, children have all had their ability to walk, feel, see, or move lost because of MS.
What can you do for a disease that has no cure? 
BIKE MS: When I first sold SEAN GRISWOLD, I thought it would be fun to do a bike ride like the one in the book based, which was based on a bike ride my husband did.
Then I got on a bike.
Then I revised that plan. 
WALK MS: Yes, Walking. This I could do. Most of us could walk for MS, right? 
Right. We can. And The MS Society has a great website with all the walks, challenge walks, and bike rides in your area.
I had planned to do the MS Walk in Vegas in April, but sadly it was the same weekend as Houston Teen Book Con. So instead, I am creating my own mini-walk wherein I walk around my neighborhood (for the first time in forever since I have been in my deadline hole). Bummer I don't get a cool Walk for MS shirt, though. Perhaps I'll employ my puff paint.
And as far as raising money goes, we'll keep it simple.
For every comment on this post, I will donate $1 to MS research. Up to $150, which was my goal for the original walk.
Of those who comment, I will pick one name and send a signed copy of SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD. International fine.
So just by commenting with a, Hey there Lindsey! Cool puff paint on that shirt!, you're contributing. Go a step further by spreading the word. Add another step, and look! You're walking! Now you can join a walk :)