The only time I had run into MS in my life, was when a friend of mine's uncle developed it in his early 30's. He was on his way out to his car one morning, to get to his job (that supported his 5 kids & wife), and he fell at the curb. He never stood again, and died within about 10 yrs.

That was my experience with MS, and I thought that's how it happened to everyone.

Needless to say, I was a little disturbed when I became paralyzed during my first MS attack, and they told me what they thought it was ...

Many people ARE naive' to what MS is, and they might have only one "vision" of what it looks like. It sounds to me like your cousin was that way, and fully expected to see you in very dire straights. To me, it sounds like she was pleasantly surprised that you "looked so good".

Yeah, her comments showed ignorance, but I don't think there was any malice intended.

Cherie