Multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence

I think we all go through a stage at the beginning of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis where we think life as we know it has ended. I used to tell people that MS is just two letters in the alphabet, it’s not a sentence! Sounds good to say but when you get a closer look at it by living with it, that kind of thinking changes.

As time went on I thought of it as more of a death sentence than simply 2 letters because it seemed to be the death of everything I knew. My mobility, my ability to feel and function in a regular capacity, the decline in my cognitive function, just so many changes to my bodily usage had decreased and caused me tremendous difficulties. So much so that I felt less human than anything else.

And with my bodies ability becoming so much worse it was more of a death sentence to me than anything else… yet when looking at all that I have endured I don’t see it as a death sentence at all. It more of a faster path to death but not a sentence. Life still happens and there are still moments of happiness and joy in the process.

You can be happy, even in a “broken” body. It may not seem like it now, but the truth is that you can build a happy, meaningful life for yourself, even if you’re never able to walk, hear, or even see like you used to.

It goes without saying that your disability has already changed your life in big ways. But with commitment, creativity, and a willingness to do things differently, you can reduce the impact your disability has on your life.

While you can’t go back in time to a healthier you or wish away your limitations, you can change the way you think about and cope with your disability. You are still in control of your life and there are many ways to improve your independence, sense of empowerment, and outlook. No matter your disability, it’s entirely possible to overcome the challenges you face and enjoy a full—and fulfilling—life.

Don’t let MS control you, you be the one in control. You’ve got this!