G’day to “YOU” my ms sisters and brothers. Today looks to be another scorcher, 115 Fahrenheit plus, 46 degrees celsius for we modern people. Either way, translate it to bloody hot and a day I am NOT going outside for no matter what. I guess this is what you get for living in a crowded desert city. Silly me, all because of a girl, well I guess she is a woman now. The things we do.
Have you ever fallen down? How did “YOU” do it? When “YOU” walk do you lift your feet and look at the ground ahead of “YOU” ? When it is needle time do “YOU” prepare for it, eat a meal, drink liquid, take your ibuprofen. Do “YOU” sit calmly before and afterwards? I remember when I used to do Betainterferon needles, I used to put on a bright yellow plastic toy construction hat and play the “Bob the Builder” theme song. I never let anyone take a picture of me at those moments, but “YOU” do whatever “YOU” can. I imagined the medicine flowing through my brain, thwarting and defend ding me against ms. Maybe not all of it but at least some, I was not going to go down without my best effort.
Perhaps, this might be an idea for “YOU”. Find a theme for your life." 3 little birds" by Bob Marley is good, so is “don’t worry be happy by Bobby Mcferrin. Do you see the pattern here? the world wants to tear “YOU” down, discard “YOU” as broken and useless. SUBTLE HINT . “YOU” ARE NOT, “YOU “ HAVE VALUE JUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO FIND IT. It may take many years, maybe not, but open yourself to the possibility.
On to things to consider. I am making the assumption that “YOU” are youngish and newish to our journey. “YOU” will fall, we all do at some time. Learn to fall. I really liked practising to crumple on a trampoline. Hard to hurt yourself there. Do not be stiff and rigid, be like jelly, crumple, roll. Ask your Physical Therapist how best to fall. Remember the aim is NOT to twist or break yourself. Embarrassment and a few bruises are okay, they go away quickly. A broken bone takes much longer to heal.
Take notes on your progress. What doctors did “YOU” see, when and why. Possibly “YOU” will not remember these things. I went to the urologist a few weeks go and completely forgot a medical procedure I had done a few years ago. Keep your notes “YOU” may need them one day.
You are very different now, “YOU” have a lot to learn and a long journey ahead of “YOU, BUT is not impossible. It may seem overwhelming BUT it is something that “YOU” CAN DO.
Royce (YOUR ms writer and brother)
You can and will do this if that is what you decide. Your choice..