I am often told that I have an amazing attitude when dealing with my life with Multiple Sclerosis.
I explain this quite simply. I have two choices.
1. I can either sit in the corner and remove myself from society, get depressed, wither away and be miserable. Which to me, sounds like that would take a lot of effort.
2. I can focus on the good things in my life and rise above my MS and fully engage in life. That seems like the more fulfilling route to take. I opted for choice number 2.
There is a saying by Anais Nin – “Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008 everything I had taken for granted was suddenly threatened. I did not know how MS was going to affect me but I knew I needed to be very proactive towards my health. I had to adapt to the changes that were coming my way and strive to live in unison with the challenges. “Where there is a will there is a way.”
Along my journey living with a disabling disease such as MS I have learned some valuable lessons.
– I’ve learned that life is full of many twists and turns and things happen that are truly out of your control.
– I’ve learned that things happen to good people and to bad people. There is no rhyme or reason. Asking the question “why me” has no answer other than “why not”.
– I’ve learned to accept the fact that I need help and to ask for it without embarrassment.
– I now have a different perspective on other peoples struggles and I have much more empathy and respect for others who are down on their luck, dealing with illness etc.
– I will never give up on myself. I accept my limitations and hope to continue enjoying life in a different way then when I was agile and able bodied.
It’s not what is happening to me that defines me. It is how I deal with my challenges that is the true measure….in my opinion.
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