Not my face!
In a world of selfies and size zero clothing, a negative body image can weigh heavily on healthy people, never mind disabled people. Being ill in itself often makes you feel less desirable. In the world of MS, where wheelchairs spread doom and gloom to those that get hit with that tag, body-image requires a whole new level of acceptance. I firmly believe beauty is limited to time and space. In addition, it only runs skin deep and definitely doesn’t reveal true worth.
Defined by myself
"As you can tell, I have lots that strengthens me and drives me forward. I also have (dis)abilities: severe bouts of pain and fatigue, which I bent into a positive writing tool for others to lean on. My limitations serve as other people’s motivation. Their motivation became my inspiration."
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.
Meet your new MS Ireland writer!
"It has been a bit of a hectic, but a great time to write lately. Two bits of fantastic news came my way in regards to my writing, and I’ve been over the moon since."
9 years on…
The first day
Change is good. So they say, anyway. I totally agree, in fact, I welcome change with open arms. Afraid of new challenges? No, not me. Because change is good.
The Valuable Time of Maturity
Upon the approach of the New Year, I would like to share with you a poem from renowned Brazilian poet Mário De Andrade called The Valuable Time of Maturity. “I counted my years and discovered that I have fewer years left to live compared to the time I have lived until now. I feel like a boy who won a package of treats. The first he eats with pleasure, but when he realizes that there are a few left, he then starts to contemplate upon them.