This is the true story of my sister, Dr. Linda Kinkel, as only I can relay it. Revealing the true nature of how Multiple Sclerosis crept into what should have been a normal life consisting of: a lively career in environmentalism, ecology, and ornithology. How  it ripped into the fabric of a my sister's life and the life of her family,  friends and even destroyed a marriage. How, it continues to keep a stranglehold on an intelligent mind, that mind is what I call my beautiful sister Linda , who I understand and love and strive help in what ever way I can. E.K.

In the fall of 1993, my mother called to tell me that the left side of my sister Linda's body had gone numb, and that she was scared; What could it be? A stroke? Could my sister become paralyzed? What was the worst to come? At that time Linda was 41 years old, young by most standards. She was married with no children, but had a vibrant career as a writer, poet, and ornithologist; she was a champion in environmental affairs, she studied birds all over the world, she loved to travel and write, she had many friends who shared her passions. Now what? One year later, and after many tests, Linda was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). "What's next?", we asked ourselves. Linda had always been a stubborn individual, opting to go it alone when things got rough, so it made sense when she started to seek her own natural treatments to fight this disease. Mean while, my Mother and Father, Chris and Arlene, and my other sister Nancy Gamss, and I, stood on the sidelines and waited, helping out where we could, Linda sought out treatment after treatment, everything from bee sting therapy to different diets, oxygen therapy, vitamins, a variety of drugs, and physical therapies. and finally a treatment that could hopefully reverse her MS, stem cell replacement, primarily used to reverse blood cancers such as leukemia.

Hopeful and brave, Linda went ahead with the gamble that this procedure would work on her already advanced form of MS. The doctors still were not sure of this procedure and its effectiveness until they could see how it worked in more than the one other test subject, who received the same procedure rather successfully a few months earlier. After enduring a long hospital stay and many painful tests and trials, the procedure seemed mildly successful, and then tapered off to becoming almost completely ineffective. Linda did, however, receive a new immune system from the stem cell procedure. Several years have gone by now, and Linda's condition has progressed to the point that she is completely bedridden and in need of constant 24/7 care. Linda lives with her two care givers in a house in Maple Park, Illinois, about 50 miles west of Chicago. Growing up the youngest with two older sisters, I was often pampered as a kid, I was frequently looked after by my older sisters, (that is until the sixties came along ... nyuk, nyuk). We all changed a bit as we got older, but that never made me stop remembering my sister as the ever-boisterous rebel and political antagonist, yet always understanding her little brother so well sister. I think she knew that I had been on the sidelines for so long as the youngest sibling, that I could see the big picture just like she did.... most of the time, that is. Linda has always admired my musical abilities, I admire her creative talents, and in that way I share my life with her; as I try to help her now as an adult with her trials and tribulations. I visit her when I can, and I try to balance life's pleasures and heartaches with the best memories of my childhood growing up with my sister Linda. I love her very much and I am very proud of what she has given this world. I will try to give her back what I can.

Through the years Linda has remained in the throws of MS, a disease which has consumed her, she has managed her self through treacherous times that have taken their toll on her such as; divorce and a myriad of health complications. Linda has suffered from depression, loneliness, feelings of complete helplessness, and thoughts of suicide are only complicated by her increasing inability to talk.  Our family has struggled with Linda's illness along with her. It numbs your heart as the years go on. Not, that we don't love her, but that our in ability to really heal her out side of the reach of medicine, complicates what we can really do for her. Along with the help of my Mother and Father, my sister and brother in law    Nancy and Brad Gamss, our cousins Mr. David Schawk, Mrs. Lisa Stearnes, Ms. Cathy Schawk, and Mr. & Mrs. Judy Gallo, together, help to keep Linda comfortable in her own home rather than a nursing home. Though the time may come when that is necessary, for now Linda remains at home with her dog Dylan.   Linda Karen Kinkel June 8th - Oct. 16, 2006 Since Linda's passing in October 2006 I have begun to feel at ease with her untimely demise. I continue to look back and keep her in mind within the body of my accomplishments. Her ashes were respectfully laid to rest in the fox river in Illinois, where I find  solace and a true earth like bond with her spirit. Linda's story is that of hardship and heart ache. One which begs to be recognized with a respectful gesture of love and regard for a life filled with purpose, one which ended in far to much pain and suffering. As difficult as they may have been, I will always remember those treacherous years.  I continue to love my sister to this day.