kerOpi,

Please heed the advice of those who have responded. They are right on. A diagnosis of MS does not mean that one stops doing things and lets this stupid disease run their life.

I was diagnosed at 17 and have had many relapses and many remissions through the years. Yet, in that time, I traveled, got 2 degrees in college, continued to study (still do), started and maintained a business, worked full time, volunteered, participated in sports, (trained and rode horses competitively, ran marathons, went skiing, played tennis, swam), farmed, married; and most of all, learned how to love and also how to love my life, no matter what the body was doing.

Oh sure, I can whine with the best of them, but there is a sense of joy in being able to do that among friends who understand. I come here for that and also to share info, to support others who are going through a rough patch and to just share companionship. The folks here are the best .

Even now, with the many challenges my body and mind face, MS does not rule my life. It doesn't have to rule yours either. Yes, it can be a challenge to have MS as a part of life, but many of those challenges can become opportunities.
For me it has opened the door to study & research, to both experiencing and extending understanding & compassion....and most of all, to celebrating achieving goals (mine and those of others), no matter how insignificant they may seem to someone else.

Embrace what you love & what brings you joy in life. Emphasize those and try to bring what ever challenges you face into alignment with them.

With love, Erika