MEDICAL MARIJUANA A BLESSING FOR ME

To the editor:

I am 32-year-old mother of two and currently a patient in Rhode
Island's medical marijuana program. My life was normal and happy
until a couple of years ago. Since then I have be diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis, fibromyagia, and anxiety disorders. As a result,
chronic intramuscular pain, weakness, pins and needles, neuropathy
pain, cognitive difficulties, tremors and painful spasms have become
a daily struggle for me -- physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

To be so young, managing a household, raising my children, and having
to fight these illness every day is just so incredibly hard.
Prescription drugs left me unable to be a productive mother and
homemaker. These powerful drugs were turning me into a person I did
not like. I did not even feel human.

Being in the medical marijuana program gave back a lot of what pills
were taking away from me. Just to feel human again is amazing, but to
have most of my neurological symptoms subsided is something I used to
only dream about. Today I can enjoy my life and be involved in my
family's activities. I am able to attend church each Sunday. To be
able to have the little things back gives my family hope.

To have this law approved will change my family's and other patients'
lives forever. Not to have to take all of those painkillers and
muscle relaxers is such a relief me. I want to live my life, not be
totally numb to life.

As our legislators consider whether to make our medical marijuana law
permanent or let it die in June, please remember: My health and my
ability to care for my children and share my family's joys all depend
on that decision.

Kelly Powers

Warwick