From the author: All of a Piece is an exploration of the emotional and psychological consequences of chronic disease and its experience within American culture. I discuss the process of acceptance of disease and disability and how that process is impeded by the dominant values of American culture and the treatment of chronic disease and disability in this society. I wrote the book to explore the issues that seemed most critical to me after my own diagnosis and which I could find no help with—the impact of MS on my sense of self; its impact on relationships; issues of independence/dependence; and the effects on me of the social construction of disease. I hope this book will be helpful to you.