4. Community
I am actively involved with the MS community both online, through social media, and in person through local groups of MSers. I have met some inspirational people who have taught me so much. I met one lady with symptoms similar to mine, who transformed the way I viewed my ability to work after I was made redundant a few years ago. She uses a scooter to get around at work and has a hoist fitted to her car to get it in and out – it had never occurred to me that I could do the same till I talked to her.
Now I have a fantastic employer who understands my rights and does everything they can to make working with MS easier for me. Without meeting her I wouldn’t have had the confidence to even get a scooter, and would have been rotting at home watching daytime TV!
I’ve “met” wonderfully supportive people online, too, and through writing and sharing my blog on Twitter fantastic opportunities have opened up for me. For example, I took part in the launch of a new app in the UK called Symtrac, and have sat on an advisory board about MS brain health for a global pharmaceutical company. I have also written articles for numerous publications, which not only supplements my income, but has also done wonders for my confidence! Who knew I could write? Without MS giving me a voice I would never have known I could make something of it.
I’m also involved in running a closed Facebook group called MSpals, which has members from all over the world who support and help each other. I’m so proud of this as we started it from scratch a few months ago and already have 350 members. Come and join us!
5. You Find out Who Your Friends Are
I have shed a few friends along the way, but most of them have stayed with me and although it’s harder to get out and about as much as I used to I still have fun nights at mine, facilitated my a glass of wine or three!
So, although I would much rather be able bodied, MS has given me a focus and perspective I never had before. I understand myself and other people so much better, have happiness and fulfilment and most importantly have managed to maintain a sense of humour!
As soon as I accepted and embraced MS as a part of me, the happier I became.
