Man up!
“The more you struggle to live, the less you live. Give up the notion that you must be sure of what you are doing. Instead, surrender to what is real within you, for that alone is sure... you are above everything distressing.” (Baruch Spinoza)
Let’s be frank
"Too many times we like to blame others for our own problems. Situations and people create our experiences, but these situations and people don't create you. Understanding our past helps us to distinguish why we hold on and repeat self-destructive behaviours. When we feel anger, resentment and other non-positive emotions, the only one we annoy is ourselves. So, choose taking ownership over blaming others, happiness over negativity, a new way of life over just remaining in a rut."
10 bold myths about MS
Multiple sclerosis is an illness subject to many myths that turn out to be misconceptions believed by far too many. When you scratch the surface, you find stubborn tales that create unnecessary anxiety and sleepless nights for those living with the illness. So let’s just throw some of the many misconceptions out the door, shall we?
Game, set, relapse!
"In short, if I’d have to sell myself with these words, I still wouldn't receive a Booker prize. I could post “Another MS Relapse” award on the fireplace mantel, but they’re just a waste of space. I thought of referring to a relapse as something you just have to get your teeth in, but I don't want to steal Luis Suárez's limelight."
Giving up is not an option
“We are all different – but we share the same human spirit. Perhaps it’s human nature that we adapt – and survive.” (Stephen Hawking) Just realised something startling. In three years of online writing, I’ve never as much written one blog post about the possibility of ending up in a wheelchair. Is it denial? Simply focusing on being positive? I don’t know what the heck it is, either way, writing about it is way, way overdue. Of course, when you hear ‘multiple sclerosis,’ you straightaway think of being confined to a wheelchair for the rest of your life. Others think of you ending up in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. You can hardly hold it against them. And, suddenly you see wheelchairs everywhere.
Relentless relapse
Why? A relapse decided to visit me. I pretended it wasn’t there. Until this morning.
Injecting object
"A whole new dictionary was instantly added to my daily vocabulary. Injection needles became syringes. MS relapses, exacerbations. Under the skin, subcutaneous. Daily self-injecting in those early days, often a war with my head, a battle of the wills."