Thanks to ADAPT organizer and activist extraordinaire Mark Johnson, here's a snippet of Michele Obama's speech last night, where she talks about her father's MS and her husband’s candidacy for president. The edit is Johnson's:

... My dad was our rock. Although he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early 30s, he was our provider, our champion, our hero. As he got sicker, it got harder for him to walk, it took him longer to get dressed in the morning. But if he was in pain, he never let on. He never stopped smiling and laughing — even while struggling to button his shirt, even while using two canes to get himself across the room to give my Mom a kiss. He just woke up a little earlier, and worked a little harder.

... And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them.

... He talked about "The world as it is" and "The world as it should be." And he said that all too often, we accept the distance between the two, and settle for the world as it is — even when it doesn't reflect our values and aspirations. But he reminded us that we know what our world should look like. We know what fairness and justice and opportunity look like. And he urged us to believe in ourselves — to find the strength within ourselves to strive for the world as it should be. And isn't that the great American story?

... All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won't do — that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be. That is the thread that connects our hearts. That is the thread that runs through my journey and Barack's journey and so many other improbable journeys that have brought us here tonight, where the current of history meets this new tide of hope.

... Because I believe that each of us — no matter what our age or background or walk of life — each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.

... And one day, they — and your sons and daughters — will tell their own children about what we did together in this election. They'll tell them how this time, we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming.

Read Obama’s speech in its entirety here. Read more about her husband’s campaign for president here.

Funny, I've always been a realist and enjoyed living in the world as it is rather than having a dream about how it should be. Should be for who? I knew if I worked hard, I could acheive my personal goals rather than expect society to provide things for me. I've had M.S. for 30+ years and am still working for myself and my family.

I remember watching Obama speak about community organizing and advocacy in the disability community well before he was running for president. He also participated in a video for the National MS Society talking about advocacy that local chapters played before we participated in citizen lobby days at our state legislature. I just found the video posted on you tube (it's 7:29 minutes but worth it). Please listen to Obama in his own words at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VB90yV17f0

You know Vast, I think you took what Mrs. Obama way out of context. And perhaps you have been able to enjoy the real world "as it is" but for some people that isn't nor should it be acceptable. I too live with MS and it's a struggle each day. Do I get up and keep going..I sure do, everyday, and do I want more and expect more out of life? I sure do...and I know with my continued hard work I can achieve it. And I think that's all she's saying here. I don't believe she mentioned anywhere that she expected society to take care of her Dad...rather she emphasized that even with failing health, he continued to work hard, never complaining. And as a person with MS, we of all people should know that this disease comes in all sizes, shapes and colors..effecting each of us in different ways. Some of us with MS wish and hope that we might have the ability to get up each day to go to work and take care of our families. For some its not an option.

I want to stop the progress of my Progressive MS. I want to talk with researchers and share my story. Movie;Extraordinary Measures-I want to work to cure MS. After working for 2 years with the windows open in a spagetti-strap t-shirt to stay winter, in the cold to move with my co-workers in ski jackets with heaters on their feet, they made me apply for Disability. Who is doing reseach in USA? I am not bedridden yet, but wheelchair, no walk, no fingertip grip, the colder the better, no drugs available for progressive ms, can only move hands short time. I WANT to get involved with MS reseach and find a cure, please