Regaining Control

August 31st 2010: Posted by Donna, Community Manager

A diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis is life altering. Once the initial shock and sadness passes, the emotional fallout can leave one feeling frustrated and out of control.

There is suddenly a lot to learn, and it is easy to lose hours and even days on your computer, researching treatments and looking for support. Scheduling appointments, planning healthy meals and finding time to exercise and de-stress are new items on your “to-do” list. How are you going to fit these new priorities into your daily schedule? For those who are “organizationally challenged” the reality of managing life with a chronic illness can be completely overwhelming.

This may sound like an odd time to think about personal organization. Yet, the sooner you regain a sense of control over your life, the better it is for your health. Sarah Welch and Dr. Margaret Smith from Getbuttonedup.com offers some practical advice on organizing your life to more effectively manage your illness.

Identifying advocates. Who is on your support team that you can call when you need them?

Managing medical information. There will be days that you are not feeling your best, perhaps a notebook, computer, or phone application can help you keep track of how you are feeling and any questions that arise that you would like to discuss with your doctor.

Re-evaluate the stressors in your life. Can you cut back on certain daily tasks and responsibilities or perhaps there are people around you who are emotionally draining.

De-clutter your home. Create a calmer environment so that you can relax and recharge your energy. This can be a more difficult task depending on how you are feeling. Perhaps friends or family members can assist you.

Think about Meal Planning. Eating healthy can be more time consuming, planning your meals in advance can help. There are experts for hire and endless websites and products available to help you to become more organized.

These are just some ideas to help you efficiently live with MS. What steps can you take to help you begin to feel more in control again?

The Gift of Giving

August 22nd 2010: Posted by Donna, Community Manager

Life is busy. It is little wonder that fewer people are finding the time to pursue altruistic endeavors and volunteer their time to charitable organizations. When you are living with a chronic condition, it would seem even more challenging to find the time and energy to give to someone else, when you have so many needs yourself.

Yet all around the world, individuals with MS are giving back in inspiring and meaningful ways. They are participating in physical challenges, bike-a-thons, races and fundraising events for MS, but they are also donating their time and talents to help others in their community.

American author Booker T Washington once said “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” What better way to forget about your own troubles, than to help someone else in need? A young Australian mother named Debbie Smart embraced this philosophy.

Debbie was preparing to move to Africa back in 2005 on a humanitarian mission with her husband and two small children. She began having symptoms of partial paralysis and loss of sensation from the neck down, and was eventually diagnosed with MS. The brave young mum decided not to let her illness interfere with her families plan, and she moved to Maseru and dedicated herself to working with disadvantaged families, orphans and individuals living with Aids. Debbie was recently featured in the MS society of Australia’s quarterly magazine, MS Life. In the article Debbie shares her insights about her experience and the many benefits that she received in return.

Research shows there are actually health benefits to volunteering. For example, an improved sense of well-being and higher self-esteem may lower certain health risks associated with anxiety and depression. Volunteering can also give you self-confidence and self-worth that will reflect on all aspects of your life.

You don’t need to fly off to Africa or train for a 100 mile bike ride to make a difference. It is obviously important that you secure your own health first. Think about the ways that you may already be giving back to family or friends around you. Or perhaps there is an organization with a mission that is of interest to you and that you could possibly contribute to in some small way. By giving of yourself, you may be surprised by what you receive.

A Contest And A Mission!

August 12th 2010: Posted by Donna, Community Manager

We are continuing to receive entries for the Realmsvoices Your Story Script Competition. This global contest is open for submissions until the end of August. The winning entry will have their story brought to life by a professional Director, and be given the chance to spread their personal message about the reality of living life with MS.

It has been interesting to see the range of topics that people have submitted, and the common elements of love, personal attitude and adaptability that seems to thread through each proposed storyline.

Living with MS is an experience that transcends geography, religion, political, and personal differences. Shared thoughts are the importance of relationships, aspirations for good health, continued mobility, and the hope of a cure one day . And yet, since the severity and progression of the symptoms of MS can vary so widely , the experiences and challenges of life with MS can also be radically different from person to person.

This is why it is important to tell as many stories as we can about life with MS. In 2009, the MS Society in the UK conducted a national survey of 2000 people to gauge public understanding about Multiple Sclerosis. The results were not surprising and revealed that there are still a lot of misconceptions and a general lack of information about everything from causes and symptoms to prognosis.

Less than half of respondents to the survey were unable to name a single symptom of MS. Around 40% of respondents assumed a diagnosis of MS meant a lifetime in a wheelchair, when in actuality; only 20% of people with MS utilize one. Even more alarming, six % of people attributed MS to public health issues such as obesity or smoking.

These misconceptions can hurt people who are living with MS, by affecting the support and attitude of the people around them. These misconceptions are just part of the reason why Realmsvoices.com is interested in stories about reinventing life with MS.

The MS community is vibrant and productive, and we can help each other by spreading the word. Enter the Your Story script competition today!