I meet many people with MS, and we all are in a different place with our journey.
I have to adapt to each individual, without hiding from our different circumstances, accepting that our own MS is ours as an individual, but at a different level from the person you are talking to.
How do you cope with feelings of the guilt /relief (feeling that you are in a better place), fear (are you heading in the same direction), sympathy, and many other feelings that may pass you?
I am strong in many ways… read more
Answer Summary
Members opened up about navigating the complex emotions of comparing their MS journeys to others, from guilt about being less affected to fear... Read more
I do believe that it's important to stay focused on one day at a time. That's the very best thing to do, Andy. ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!! We are all in this fight together Warriors!! It's hard to deal with a disease that most people don't understand. Most Dr's don't know very much either about MS!! It gets tirering to have to educate others about it. It would be easier to just wear an MS TEESHIRT!!
Ooo great question take it as it comes most days, it's easy sometimes to let the bad days make you overlook the good things in your life and try to focus on one thing yes we are all fighting ms in a different way but we can come together and offer advice, a laugh, or a shoulder if that is whats needed. On some days i come to this sight and don't offer anything because I'm feeling too negative and that can be contagious so i just read the things that will make me smile because that's what i needed at the time other times i feel compelled to share what's going on, or just share some silliness to lighten my own mood. But at the end of the day of i didn't have God i know i wouldn't be able to do any of it. So God bless you and hope your day is going well.
Andy, I've always been type of person who doesn't worry about something happening until it is something to worry about. That doesn't mean I sometimes wonder if I'm going to wake up blind or unble to walk one day. How can we not? I've super fortunate to have a mild bout with MS.
It's funny you mentioned guilt, I just got done telling Michelle a story about why I felt guilty about attending MS events in the past. I felt guilty that I was doing well and others weren't. An organizer took me aside and said we love when people like yourself come to the events. It gives hope to the others. Change my whole way of thinking.
I amaze myself at my ability to cope with all the daily challenges that come at me. I think that most of the comments & bios that I read on here are great examples of the personal strength that people exhibit who have any disease that impairs their mobility. I am the queen of run on sentences as you can see.
I find it's non MS people who judge the most. I understand we are all on different journeys. But when I get people say to me "you don't look like you have ms" or "you look pretty good for someone with ms". It makes me cringe bc the general public think the worst of this disease. I'm at a better place now then I was 4 or 5 years ago. Now I'm on meds I am alot better. But as I live out of town people don't see my bad days. When I'm stuck in bed or hospital. Or how I feel from the meds. They only see me putting on a big front - happy and positive. And yes MS is a big mental game of never giving up and worrying about the future. But I can only take 1 day at a time.