This is actually the post I was going to put up last Sunday, but God had other plans. Plans that changed my life and made me incredibly happy! If you haven’t already, please read my last post, “Who’s Next? I’m Next”. And if you have a few bucks to spare I could use your help. I am getting closer every day, but I haven’t reached my goal yet. Here is my link if you are able to donate.
https://app.cocopay.co/ebony.sims
This post came from God while I was clear minded in the shower. I had been struggling to put words into sentences that make sense. So I know this post isn’t from me.
I have always been an independent person. Some of my independence was by choice and some by necessity. So when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis(MS) I was determined to continue to do as much for myself as I could. Even though, there are things I struggle with now, I do the best I can. According to my friends, “I be doing too much.” Lol. One thing MS has taught me is to accept help. If someone ask to carry something for me, even if I can do it, I let them. I look at that as saving energy for later. But be aware that everyone is not at this stage. Hell, I am just getting here.
Multiple Sclerosis is not a reason to pity a person, assume that they are incapable of things or assume that they are capable because they do not look “sick”. I believe that everyone has something to deal with in life. And unless a person tells us, we don’t know what it is. We don’t go around pitying people for presumed issues. So let’s be careful to not pity people for known issues. When I was first diagnosed I told as few people as possible because I did not want to be pitied. MS is not a death sentence. It just has the possibility of altering one’s life plan. Or it can help a person to set about creating a more interesting life plan. So many ways to look at this and I am always finding the positive ones.
Now, MS can be a confidence killer. Especially when people remember you a certain way and now you are no longer that person. Yes, your friend used to walk 2 miles with you. Uh…not now. Don’t say, “You can do it.” No, she can’t but I am sure she wish she could. And believe me she is feeling some kinda way about the fact that she can’t. This is the time to alter one’s life plan. Allow her to offer other activities she is capable of doing and do them with her. One side effect of MS is loneliness. We still want to be included dammit! Everyone eats, I like to eat. Lol
MS isn’t always visible. It’s symptoms are so varied. Even when someone is walking normal and they look like nothing is wrong, they could have fatigue. Or brain fog. Or blurred vision. Or aching hands (just heard this from a friend). And the list goes on and on. Yes, I parked in the handicap space and I am walking fine. But when I leave the store it is going to be a whole different story. It took a while for me to “look sick”. And a person “looking sick” should not be the definition of sick. This is a huge misconception among people with autoimmune diseases that take a while to show but the person is feeling it the whole time.
These are my thoughts in regards to how I want to be treated. I am sure that others with MS may share the same thoughts, but they will definitely have some of their own. If there is someone in your life with MS or any other debilitating disease or disorder, ask them how best to honor them. Hell, this should be across the board for people in general. We had this training at work in regards to customer care. The trainer said the golden rule, “Treat people the way you want to be treated”, no longer applies. It is now, “Treat people the way they want to be treated.” I felt that!
I love shower thoughts! I bet many of businesses have started this way. Next MS Awareness month in March instead of me sharing facts and experiences, I can have a person/people with MS share their journey. Everyone’s journey is different with some similarities. It would be great to share my platform and bring more awareness to this disease. And you, my faithful readers can get a break from reading me droning on and on. Lol.
This month flew by. Life as we knew it continues to change and evolve. We all are altering our life’s plan. One thing should always stay consistent, continuing to be well and whole. If you have any questions in regards to MS, please leave a comment below or you can email me at elsims27@yahoo.com. Much love 🧡💚