Fall Down, Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn't Tell Nobody

by David L. Lander

Book Overview

The actor shares his sixteen-year struggle to hide his multiple sclerosis from his wife, daughter, and the public from his first signs of vertigo five years after Laverne & Shirley until his decision to announce his illness.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585420522
• ISBN13: 9781585420520
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Tarcher
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Inspiring, Heartfelt and truly Funny

Leave it to David Lander to show you the funny side of a chronic condition. I read this book mainly on the subway to and from work and the passengers probably thought I was mad laughing at a book were the title contained the word "Multiple Sclerosis". If they only knew how he presented MS in this book, they'd be laughing too.This book was better than I expected. Most biographies I read about people with illness starts in adult hood and doesn't really build up their character. David started in way before he became "Squiggy". I liked this approach because it made him seem more `common' as opposed to the non-attainable celebrity type.At the point in time I was yet undiagnosed with any illness. It turned out I had another illness, although the one I do have may develop into MS one day. This book made me feel better about whatever I was about to face.It was real, heartfelt and honest. David is inspiring and sharing his story in the way he did makes him even more loveable. Thanks David.

Changed my whole outlook

The book came in on a Friday, I started it at 11 at night, finished it at 3 in the morning. I couldn't put it down. Being diagnosed in November with Ms, I've been depressed, moody, not sure what to look forward to. Now I've seen someone else with the same progression of symptoms, and I realized, it won't be too bad. I just have to remember that I can laugh at it. Squiggy did. I hope he reads these reviews every now and then, 'cause he really changed my whole outlook on the disease. Thanks David.

Fianlly, laughing at MS!

Finally, there's a comical side of MS! I started reading the book during a recent MS flare-up; even though I thought I'd started feeling worse both physically and mentally, I think this book was the best medicine I could've hoped for! Your comedy and writing are incredible. Thanks, David, for all you do for us MSer's!!

Finally, good humor!

Finally, a book that deals with MS that makes you laugh! I started reading this book recently during a bad MS flare-up. Although I thought I'd start feeling even worse for and about myself, David's candid humor was probably the best medicine I could've asked for!! Even though my husband's dealing with my MS (and the stresses of being a caregiver)and sees my daily struggles, he had some well-deserved and well-earned laughs from this book! Thanks, David - we MSers need some more comic like yours!!

Been There Done That

Fall Down, Laughing is not only an informative book but one that will make people understand that having MS does not take away your humor. The book is realistic in the way it portrays the disease. yet it shows that the diagnosis is not the end of a persons life or career for that matter. From someone who has suffered with Multiple Sclerosis for eighteen year, raised a wonderful family and was able to continue working, I personally found this real-life account of someone who has been through it all, refreshing and very accurate. I would encourage anyone who has MS or is a family member of an MS patient to read this brave story, written by one who shares our circumstances.