Life can be tough at times. There are good times, bad times, sad times and happy times. And, all the times in between. Living with MS can be killer. Not only are you living the normal day-to-day stuff, but you're living with a whole pile of other stuff too.
Perhaps you can't walk, or talk anymore. Maybe your arm is numb and weak, and your hand is so full of spasticity that you can't bend your fingers. Maybe your vision is blurry and you can't see color anymore. Perhaps you fall over because your balance is compromised, and when you go for a walk, your legs begin to drop and feet begin to drag. Maybe you have incontinence or constipation.
Maybe when you turn your head or bend your neck, a shooting tingling sensation runs along your spine. Perhaps you feel like you've got a tight girdle strangling your torso. Maybe you can't remember things anymore and get confused a lot. Or, you are so fatigued you can't get out of bed, and when you've had a shower and got dressed you literally have to lie-down because you are tired to your core. Perhaps you're depressed. Suicidal even.
These are some of the symptoms of MS. These are some of the things that when someone tells you they have MS, they are telling you they live with everyday or have experienced at some time or another.
This is why I believe that people living with MS deserve a medal. And, why I am focusing my life on helping those with MS anyway I can - including through adaptive yoga classes, training teachers to teach yoga to MS, writing this blog, writing a book of meditations, affirmations and yoga poses for adults with MS, and a book for kids with a parent with MS. It is also why I am proud to be working with the Northern California NMSS, as the 2010 Marin/Sonoma Ambassador, sharing my experiences to bring awareness of this disease to others.
When you meet someone with MS, I hope that you can give them some extra love and extra respect for living so courageously. But, is that enough? Can we take this lesson and share it with everyone we meet? Even though most people are not living with a chronic illness, everyone has their own stuff they are dealing with. Whatever it may be, however large or small it may seem to an outsider, can we be more patient and send love out into the world?
Photographed above: world famous MS Yoga Guru and author of Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis, Eric Small and his incredible assistant, Doug Dee.
Namaste.
Jane, when I met you I never thought you were a shadow (even though I get your metaphor), but after your episode I realized that you were in a shell, or a cocoon, and now you came out, ready to soar. I like your new you, and the love you are spreading, and the love you make us want to spread.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and the kids.