Stigma & Support
Life with Multiple Sclerosis
Approximately 2.3 million people worldwide suffer from the neurological disease Multiple Sclerosis. Not short on a list of downsides, it can also be one of the more tricky diseases to navigate when it comes to getting the support that you need. This isn’t difficult because one doesn’t deserve support, but because neurological illness isn’t always visible to the outside world.
After a new diagnosis that is life changing and scary, it may come as a shock when those around you, including loved ones, fail to be supportive. There are a few reasons why this may happen. The first and likely most prevalent reason you’ll face is simply due to a lack of understanding of the disease. Many times this can be helped by sharing a little about what MS is with those whom you’d like to support you. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If you aren’t prepared for this, it can get you down and feel very confusing and hurtful.
It helps to know this likely isn’t personal and you’re far from the only MS patient who has experienced this. Regardless, it can still hurt and you’re not abnormal for how badly it may feel. But not unlike many other facets of living with MS, it takes time to learn to navigate your life with the illness. The harsh reality is that you’ll likely face unsupportive and even down right hurtful attitudes towards your suffering at some point throughout your MS journey and like myself, probably more than once.
It can help to have a couple of things under your belt to deal with the stigma you’re likely to face along with a life with Multiple Sclerosis:
1.-Others with MS in your corner! Be it online or in person, they are likely to be the most supportive and helpful out of everyone in your support network.
Diagnosed in 2014, the learning and support that comes from others with MS remains invaluable. It has been one of the most important aspects of self care I’ve undertaken. That is getting to know others who are on this journey, too. Of course all of our experiences are different! Like they say, each case of MS is it’s own, and each is as varied and as different as a single, individual snowflake.
2.- Outlets to help counteract the negative. Stress can not only wreck havoc on our mental well-being but it can make us physically sicker.
It can feel like a cruel joke because no one asks to live this altered life. Especially when we’ve taken such a brave step in opening up to friends and family in the sharing of our reality, however, this too is now a new part of our reality. We must learn to cope. Hobbies that we enjoy are an important player in dealing with many of the frustrating aspects of MS. Even though our ability to do certain things as easily as we once could may change, we must keep finding new alternatives. These could be one or many of almost endless options. Reading, writing, music and other arts are just the tip of the iceberg! Arming yourself with numerous hobbies and things you enjoy doing will help to manage many of the symptoms and conflicting emotions you may face.
Nearly one million people in the United States alone suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a neurological disease with many battles facing each and every patient. A lack of support need not be one of these. Despite all of the burdens placed upon the shoulders of those diagnosed with this illness, teaching others and even learning to navigate ignorant attitudes can be among some of the most important if one is to get the support they need to live their best with MS.
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