WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?

Explain to people how to live with multiple sclerosis can be difficult and frustrating .... By sheer misunderstanding and lack of empathy, we hear frustrating things from friends and even family.

So I ask you: what do you want people around you know about multiple sclerosis?

MS is unpredictable

No two people will progress the same way - there is no formula that works for all
My symptoms may change during the same day, or even every hour
It can literally and figuratively take you down at any time
It's like a rollercoaster ... you have ups and downs, twists and turns, only it's never fun
MS tries to steal your self-esteem every day, taking away from you little things that you could do the day before
Just because yesterday was a bad day does not mean that tomorrow will be bad as well

Multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence (and it's not contagious!)

This is my war and what makes me stronger
MS is not fatal, and is not always debilitating
It does not change who you are, just what you can or not do
It is a terribly scary diagnosis to get. But with time and information, we understand that is not the end of the world

MS is real - not an excuse

This is not something I chose
It's out of my control
I'm not pretending
I'm not being lazy or hypochondriac, I really need medication and rest
MS is exhaustive and can cause extreme fatigue and horrible pain

Multiple sclerosis can be invisible

I can look good on the outside, but inside I don't feel good
MS makes you look normal on the outside, but inside you are in pieces
No one can see our limits as we feel them, so do not push us to overcome them

Multiple sclerosis can be stressful and depressive

Slowly and sneaky it takes our mobility, our cognition and our dignity
It is incredibly difficult to live with it - mentally, physically and emotionally

MS is a constant battle - for all

It's always on my mind, even when I feel good
MS is something you think daily; it never gives you a time
It is devastating - not only for those who are diagnosed, but for the entire family of who has the disease
MS requires that those who love us have an open mind and a huge heart

Multiple sclerosis has no cure