MS is definitely not who I am. I know my symptoms (particularly the difficulty walking) are sometimes the first thing that people notice about me but anyone who spends some time around me quickly notices that I make the MS fade into the background.

VERY interesting question! I don't think I realized how much MS had a hold on me until I went on medical leave from work. That was MUCH harder on me than I thought it would be. MS is definitely not who I am, but it is becoming a bigger part of my life that I have to consider pretty much all the time now. This summer, it has definitely impacted me differently than in the past - it's been much hotter this summer here and as a result, I've missed out on a number of events with friends and family that I really wanted to attend. I've also had to move on to find some new hobbies because with the heat induced fine motor issues I have, I can't really play my guitar or flute very well, or do lapidary. But I maintain my optimism and am working hard to fight this disease - I don't ever want to fully give into it. I accept the diagnosis, but also, the more I learn about MS and how Eastern medicine combats it, I plan to fight the hard fight and try to beat this damn thing. Curious how others will answer this!

MS has changed the person I am completely. I am proud of the achievements in my life despite MS, but many are things that I could never have entertained without MS. I use MS as much as it uses me!

Simply
I am not my diagnosis

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