My Caregiver

Living with MS often requires a team effort by the caregiver and the person with MS — a partnership that grows and evolves over time. Adam, my husband and caregiver, has been there with me throughout it all – diagnosis and everything before and after. We have learned how to manage MS as a team while also maintaining a healthy and balanced relationship.

MS is extremely variable and unpredictable. People experience attacks and remissions, loss and recovery or partial recovery of abilities. One day I can dress alone, the next day I can’t. Adam has to take and then give back responsibility for tasks all the time.

I want to thank Adam for physically supporting me when my body gives up. When my body seems to be broken, you’re my crutch, my pick-me-up, and my protector. I know you always say you don’t mind supporting me, but I know it’s not always easy so thank you.

All in all, thank you for just loving me and choosing me to be in your life even after all of the pain and upset. Thank you for going out of your way to make life a little bit easier for me.

NMSS Guide for Caregivers

Living with a Chronic Illness

We who live with a chronic illness know how everything can change in one day. Diagnosis changes everything. At the same time, the change has already been happening for a long time, as we have likely lived with the disease for years before we hear the confirmation of that diagnosis.

I don’t dwell on it but I can’t escape it, either. I can’t escape what the disease has done to my body. I am unable to simply forget that it’s there, and I’m still not comfortable with all of the aspects of living my life with an incurable disease. I’m learning my way through every day, every setback, and every progression.

With progressive illness, the losses just keep mounting, and life becomes a constant exercise in adaptation. I'd never have thought I'd have the capacity to adapt to the level of disability I'm now experiencing. I know that I don’t give myself enough credit for doing as much as I do - MS and all. As Christopher Robin said to Pooh, “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”