I don't remember whose post this is or where on DS I found this post, but it speaks volumes about MS:
"You don't GET MS, until you GET MS."
Discussion Topic
Your family, your MS
Posted on 06/15/08, 01:06 am
How do your family members treat you and your MS? Ignore it? Make a big deal out of it? Resent your or are jealous of you?
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Reply #21 07/06/08 5:09am
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Reply #22 07/06/08 3:14pm
Terrific, centenniel, thanks!
Hey, I went to a family reunion yesterday, it was a good experience overall. It was the first time using a cane in front of them, most didn't even know I had MS (big family). I spent a lot of time talking about what's wrong with me. I seem to have a lot of trouble explaining to people what it is. Does anybody else have that problem?
Here's a good thing: people were quite happy to fetch and carry for me. That's good...EXCEPT that I can see I would get VERY LAZY if I don't watch out! LOL. -
Reply #23 07/06/08 4:30pm
Margie, I find that most people really do want to be of help. Even perfect strangers will offer help, and, I generally let them help me. I've come to realize that It is a sincere act of kindness. I get a lot of offers of help from women when I'm out in public. Usually someone will come up to me when they see me unloading my scooter from the cargoe area of my car. I can manage doing this alone (unloading/loading) very well and require no help at all, but I guess to the average person it looks like an arduous job.
As far as explaining what MS is, try to keep it simple. To help simplify this, you could always request a a few fact sheets from the Nat'l MS Soc. and leave copies with people who want to know more. -
Reply #24 07/06/08 7:25pm
My family reunion is at the end of this month, so I have that to look forward to as well. I had the problem of explaining at as well, and my doctor said to relate it to a short circuit. You flip a switch (your brain), but the power doesn't get to where it needs to go (other body parts) because of a short circuit (the lesions). I agree that most people want to help, and are sincere about it. At least around here it is. -
Reply #25 07/06/08 8:55pm
My family understood and got it just fine when first dx (14 years ago...)... Now, they don't get it at all... I'm too independent for understanding... I push too hard, achieve too much, manage too much... It's my fault that they don't get it... xo Cj
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