Perspective

My mom recently posted an article that she came across about positivity in the MS  community, which got me thinking about my own perspective on MS. I have a hard time relating to the endless positivity that seems to permeate the MS community, at least as reflected in the National MS Society publications. This can be helpful but places too high of expectations on those of us that are dealing with more advanced forms of the disease (we won’t be running marathons anytime soon). It would be nice to see a more “real” and balanced perspective.

This article points out that positivity sells; the “I have MS but it doesn’t have me” mentality. As if you have a choice in the matter. This almost relentless positivity can have the opposite effect. If this person with MS can run marathons, what’s wrong with me that I can’t? Am I not trying hard enough? I read once that someone was actually thankful they were diagnosed with MS because it changed how they look at and lived their life. Well, that’s a nice soundbite. 

The pressure is almost toxic.

I encourage you to look outside of this social media phenomenon where only the good times are posted about and the goal is to show everyone how well you are doing. Let’s see the woman who ran her first marathon with MS but let’s also see the people who fight hard every day and don’t get better but have learned to adapt.

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.” - Mary Anne Radmacher