Author, comedian, MS patient advocate and creator of My Odd Sock blog
Welcome to “7 Questions with A Couple,” a monthly series that includes quick conversations with a variety of experts and influencers from throughout the MS community. For our December post, we are so excited to introduce Doug Ankerman. Doug is all kinds of awesome and has kept our lives moving forward with his wit, perspectives and ability to make us laugh at life with this disease. We were introduced to Doug through his blog, My Odd Sock, and have followed his writing through regular posts for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.
1. You are a former standup comedian, and you were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996. How long after you were diagnosed were you able find any humor in living with MS?
Quite a while. Fact is, I was in a deep, dark denial for at least the first five years. I was good physically. Mentally, not so much. I simply plowed ahead like nothing was wrong till things began to worsen. Twenty-fours years after my dx and I still don’t find MS that funny. It’s pretty rotten really. I am angry at all that MS has taken from me. It took many years to realize MS may have closed some doors for me, but it has also opened doors and widened my outlook for the better.
2. Where did you come up with the name My Odd Sock for your blog, and what inspired you to start writing it?
My Odd Sock describes all of us. We’re all odd socks in a way, right? Each of us have dumb quirks and silly habits that are odd when you really think about them. I use My Odd Sock to point out the goofy stuff in life.
My inspiration came from a lack of. So many MS blogs at the time were depressing. I felt worse after I read them. Bloggers moaning and whining about having the dreaded ick. I couldn’t take it! I wanted to create a blog that was funny – poking fun at MS, and life having it.
So late summer of 2009, the internet dimmed slightly with the birth of My Odd Sock, a humor/blog about MS and other nonsense.
3. How do you continue to find the humor in MS?
After all these years it’s tough. I often feel I am scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to new ideas. But as MS changes over time, new subjects come to light… and thus, must be made fun of! That, or I steal material from another funny MS blogger/author, Yvonne DeSousa who writes “Finding Humor in a Multiple Sclerosis Life” found at yvonnedesousa.com.
4. MS is a pretty heavy subject, and you come at it with a lighthearted approach. How tough is it for you to find the balance between the two?
I figured I had two choices. I could cry about having MS… or I could insult, ridicule and thumb my nose at MS for revenge. Sticking it to the MS man, as they say.
Yeah, MS is heavy so I try to share experiences of peeing myself or falling down or being in a wheelchair to let others know they are not alone. My Odd Sock can be a bit edgier than most blogs – maybe too much so. I simply try to present MS in an entertaining way. Campy and full of poor grammar. If you can relate, fantastic! If not, there are plenty of depressing blogs out there.
5. Beyond humor, what has helped you to cope with MS?
Exercise. And stretching. I’ve always told my docs (and anyone else who will listen) that exercise helps more with my MS than any med, any pill, any needle I’ve plunged into my blubber. Exercise helps improve balance, fatigue, strength, depression, you name it! Stretching keeps MS at bay, loosening muscles, joints and increases range of motion. I tell people all the time to move what you can as often as you can. Any movement will do. And make no excuses.
6. We have told you several times that you are one of the people we would love to sit down and drink a beer with and talk about anything and everything. Who (beyond us!) is on your list of people you want to have a drink with and chat?
Yes, of course the Digmanns would be at the top of my list! Though I hesitate fearing I would be contributing to Dan’s boozing problem. (Just kidding – Dan does NOT have a problem, it’s Jen.)
This is the toughest question of the lot because I have no idea! I’ll chat with anyone about anything. I’m not particular.
Though I would like to offer thanks to Howard Stern.
The day I was diagnosed I spun out of control, crying, fits of rage, confusion, grief. A restless, sleepless night of tears followed. The next morning, on my way to work, still in tears, I was listening to him on the radio. At one point he made me laugh. I was shocked, stunned as for a brief 10 seconds I didn’t think about MS. I laughed. The heavy feelings soon returned, but I was and still am grateful for that slight respite during a dark time. Thank you, Howard.
7. From essays on your blog to what you develop for organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, what do you hope people take away from your writing?
I suppose I am simply trying to give others what Stern did for me on that day so long ago. A brief moment of humor, a laugh, to take their mind off MS. And realize they are not alone – we’re all going through this together – and it’s gonna be okay.