Lorna Jean Moorhead

Lorna J. Moorhead
Occupation Author, Mother
Genre Multiple Sclerosis, Humor, Health advocacy
Notable works Coffee in the Cereal: The First Year with Multiple Sclerosis, Phone in the Fridge: Five Years with Multiple Sclerosis
Website
www.msmoms.com

Lorna J. Moorhead is an author, health columnist and health advocate. She is one of the first writers on the subject of women’s health issues pertaining to Multiple Sclerosis. She has written many articles on the subject of advocating for one’s self as well as using humor to deal with the embarrassing symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic illnesses.

Biography

Lorna was born in Carmichael, CA. Her mother is former Assembly Member [1] Jean Macpherson (Moorhead) Duffy (member of Clan Macpherson).[2] Her father was George Moorhead, 12 November 1927 - 24 March 2008.

At the age of 23 she was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Lorna is the mother to four children, Stephan Starkey (1995) , Aidan Moorhead (2004) , Abigail Moorhead (2005) and Arthur Moorhead (2007) , and wife to Mark Reed. She is also the author of two books, Coffee in the Cereal: The First Year with Multiple Sclerosis (2002) and Phone in the Fridge: Five Years with Multiple Sclerosis (2006) , as well as many articles and blogs concerning multiple sclerosis and health advocacy.

In 2009 Lorna was showcased in Hoi Polli II in recognition of her literairy accomplishments.[3]

Lorna's writing is known around the world. Her books are recommended for MS Patients by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center,[4] Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada BC Division [5] and many other MS related organizations.

Her book Coffee In The Cereal was required reading for a class at Stanford University.[6]

Health Advocacy

In 2000 she founded MS MOMS, “a California non-profit organization for women and mothers with Multiple Sclerosis.”[7] Lorna’s motivation for founding MS MOMS was a lack of support for parents with Multiple Sclerosis. She requested support from The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, they did not have any programs specifically designed to assist with women’s issues, parenting with Multiple Sclerosis, or maintaining relationships, at the time. Lorna took it upon herself to do what she could to share her experiences in the hopes of helping others like herself.[8]

MS MOMS commonly participates with Renaissance fairs for fundraising and advertising.[9]

In addition to founding MS MOMS, Lorna has written many articles. One of the most influential articles that Lorna wrote was concerning a subject that few other writers had approached, “How to explain the symptoms of chronic illness to children?” Lorna uses her humorous writing style to share her emotions, fears, and experiences with others who were suffering like her.[10]

Published Articles

Coffee in the Cereal: The First Year with Multiple Sclerosis

Coffee in the Cereal: The First Year with Multiple Sclerosis was first published in 2002 by Pathfinder Publishing. It was later edited and republished in 2003. It was edited again and had a significant update of content, as well as a new ISBN, in 2010.

Lorna began writing Coffee in the Cereal in 2001. She had already successfully published multiple articles and had a “burning desire”[13] to write a book about learning to live with Multiple Sclerosis. She focused the content of the book on the issues she experienced within her first year of having Multiple Sclerosis.

Phone in the Fridge: Five Years with Multiple Sclerosis

Phone in the Fridge: Five Years with Multiple Sclerosis was first published in 2006 by Pathfinder Publishing.

After many years of surviving her Multiple Sclerosis, Lorna sat down and recounted the significant life lessons from her first five years.

References

  1. Duffy, Jean (2001). "Jean Moorhead Duffy papers". LP235:1-43, LP255:169-194. California State Library. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  2. MacPherson, Chevalier (1991). "The Annual of the Clan Macpherson Association". Creag Dhubh.
  3. "hoi polloi II - A Literary Journal for the Rest of Us". Our Products. Dog Days Press. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  4. "Multiple Sclerosis" (PDF). Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  5. "MS BC Bulletin" (PDF). Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada British Columbia Division. Fall 2003. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  6. Krieger, Susan (Spring 2007). "Syllabus for Seminar in Women's Health: Women and Disabilities". Stanford University. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  7. "Authors Den". Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  8. Rapaport, Lisa (20 August 2000). "Reaching In, Reaching Out". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento. p. F1.
  9. Moorhead, Lorna. "News from MS MOMS". MS MuSings. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  10. 1 2 Moorhead, Lorna (May 2001). "Explaining Illness to Your Children". And He Will Give You Rest. Rest Ministries, Inc.
  11. Moorhead, Lorna (July–August 2002). "Herbs for Multiple Sclerosis: Catnip, Chamomile, and Cayenne Can Help Ease Symptoms". Vitality: Toronto’s Monthly Wellness Journal. Toronto.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "HealingWell.com". 2000.
  13. Byzek, Josie (March 2001). "Lorna Moorhead: Laughing At Life". New Mobility: Life on Wheels.
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