It’s World MS Day 🎗️
Cliff’s Notes version of my story:
I was diagnosed in early 2016, essentially by accident. My first flare followed soon after, but by then I had made MS specific diet and lifestyle changes, and enjoyed the next 7 years free of any symptoms. But at some point I took things for granted and put much needed actions on the back burner, and it culminated in my second flare last year.
I try to reframe my second flare as a much-needed warning. I was pretty lax in a few areas of my lifestyle (mainly diet and lack of therapy for anxiety management) and my body gave me a sharp reminder of the consequences. It was a wake-up call, for sure.
Today, I feel good. Really good, actually. I’ve put in the work to get myself back on a healthy track. I do still have some residual symptoms, like my eyesight changing a bit when I’m hot or exercising, since both flares affected my vision… But that’s MS. You play the cards you get dealt with this disease.
I hope to see a cure for MS in my lifetime. But until then, I’ll continue chasing sunrises on my runs for as long as I can, and focusing on the things that I can control.
Hugs to all of my friends with MS who might see this, and to anyone who knows someone with MS. It’s a tough disease. It affects us all so differently.
Here’s to fighting forward. 🧡
📸:
@bearandpineapplephoto
#multiplesclerosis #worldmsday #runningwithms #runnerswithms #fightforward