‘The value of the Stumbling in Flats blog … it opens so many avenues of support and understanding, not only to the sufferer, but to the family, the friends … so that they will understand what it’s like to walk through treacle’ – Janis H. Winehouse
is this month in the United States. Forgive my ignorance, but…Is this also MS
Awareness Month in Wales?
and we don’t have a month here in the UK, we have an MS Awareness Week, which
runs this year from 22 – 28 April. There will be lots of exciting campaigns and
fundraising and it will hopefully increase awareness around the UK of this life-changing
illness and the effect it can have on people with MS and their families.
annoying MS symptom? How do you deal with it?
say that fatigue is by far my most annoying symptom. So hard to describe to
anyone without MS, it’s a constant presence in my life. It’s the suddenness of
it, the hard to predict timing of it. Every hour, every day, it could pop up
and send me to bed.
really difficult; over the years I’ve worked out that I shouldn’t book two
appointments in one day, no early morning meetings or late evenings. I do a lot
of my socializing at home now too, so at least I can stay in touch with my
friends, who are so important to me. I also have a study space at Uni but also
one at home, so if I’m too tired to travel, I can study from home.
though is that my boss is so understanding and recognizes when I become tired.
He sends me to a quiet corner (I work on a building site) or the van and I can
sleep. He’s a sweetheart and I’m really lucky. Especially when you consider my
last boss fired me when I was diagnosed with MS!
you share with newly diagnosed Warriors?
grieve, it’s a big thing to take on board and MS can affect so many areas of
your life. Give yourself time to get your head together. Surround yourself with
supportive family and friends and let them look after you.
treatment options, with the help of your neurologist or MS nurse. Only read
trusted medical websites. If you’re working, read up about your rights. Find
good online support networks and chat with people who have been through the
same thing.
respond/react to negative attitudes towards MS?
wrong and challenging their attitudes! I’m not afraid to speak up for myself
and others with MS. Education is the key – especially making the public aware
that not all MS symptoms are visible. The more we spread awareness, the more
people will understand.
thoughts on alternative/natural/holistic (essential oils, exercise, diet,
supplementary vitamins) MS treatments. What has and had not worked for
you?
discover after you’re diagnosed with MS is that a lot of people will tell you
how to cure it. The best thing to do is to ignore it; there is no cure. But
there are ways to make life easier. However, one size doesn’t fit all! You need
to find out what works for you.
I’ve dabbled in a few things. I’ve got a high-strength Vitamin D prescription
that I take once a month. I also make sure I’m as mobile as possible, when it’s
possible. I’ve also found that too many carbs slow me down, so I try to eat as
many fresh vegetables as possible.
what didn’t work, as I didn’t really implement any huge lifestyle changes, as
for me it was more about my emotional mindset.
challenged your perspective on life? What is the biggest sacrifice to the
MonSter?
turned my life around – I lost my job, my partner, my future. So I had to
rebuild my life in its entirety. MS challenged me to ask my self ‘what really
matters to me, now the worst has happened?’. MS gave me the opportunity to take
up a long-held dream, writing, and this has led to so many opportunities.
appreciate life so much more, although the journey to this wasn’t at all easy.
As for my biggest sacrifice, it has to be the ability to do things on the spur
of the moment! I miss it.
inspirational book (other than your own:) about living with MS.
answer, as I haven’t read one!! I find most of them a bit depressing ☹ )
book, are you as an author represented by an agent or self-published? How does
writing (your blog and your book) serve as therapy?
a very small publisher (a friend of mine, who had helped me edit the book).
that writing about MS has been the best therapy ever! My blog is seven years
old in October and the support I’ve had throughout those years has been
incredible. It doesn’t matter what little problem I have, readers are quick to
give advice, share their own stories and generally support me through some
pretty tough times.
I hate that MS Warriors are so plentiful in the world, but it is nice to connect with others who understand and relate to this life-changing situation. In all the negativity associated with multiple sclerosis, I am so happy to be able to connect with other Warriors who share my fears, my disappointments, and lost dreams. It is also nice to know that the MonSter is not defeating us. For every closed window, another always opens. Please consider sharing your story with us here on Lady with the Cane.
I had a blessed day at Barnes and Noble yesterday where I met a few more MS Warriors. I hope my book I Have MS. What’s Your Super Power? is helpful to those wonderful folks who showed up and purchased the book. Get your own copy by contacting me at LisaAnnetteMcCombs@yahoo.com, here on my blog, or on-line at:
Peace,
Lisa, The Lady with the Cane
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