Funny article! Read the responses (link is about half way down the page on the left). Makes me feel better about some of the things I've had said to me!

http://ms.about.com/od/livingwellwit...marks.htm?nl=1

My MIL's comment, years ago...."You couldn't have MS....I have a friend in a WC, with MS".

Sally -guess each person can only know one person with MS at the same time!

My DH's friend when I told him I was dx'd with MS "My condolences". That's still my favorite comment ever said to me.

One of my husband's bosses made the comment to him about how he was surprised how smart I seemed even though I could barely walk.

gmi

I was having a wobbly day about 4 years ago and one of my son's karate instructors noticed (guy was 27 at the time). He teased me about being sloshed, I said nope bad MS day. He blurted out that he had an aunt that had just died from MS complications! I just said well let us pray that is a long time off for me . I thought the poor boy was gonna cry... I told him I'd watched enough karate, that I'd backfist him good if he felt bad about seeing me come into the Dojo.!!

What is it that makes people feel the need to tell you about so-and-so who has MS and is in terrible shape? Or has died?

It's almost like they feel they have to "one-up" you with their story. I haven't noticed this with other diseases. If someone tells me they have diabetes I don't immediately launch into a story about my uncle who lost both his legs to it. Or the person who tells me they have arthritis.....I don't mention my Grandmother who could barely use her hands the last years of her life. WHY would I do that??? WHY do they do it??? Are they trying to make us feel better? It's not working! I have one comment for these poor souls..........."Here's Your Sign".

I'll go back and read more of those when I'm not so tired.

Funny, sometimes someone will say something and I almost arch my back and hiss. I think, "How could you SAY something that stupid?"

Other times, I remember the well-intentioned but stupid things I've said myself, and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Guess it all depends how charitable I'm feeling that day.

I'm glad I didn't snap at the 90-year-old lady who said, "Are they sure that's what you have?" At the time I was offended, but in retrospect, I realized it was her way of hoping it wasn't an official diagnosis perhaps.

I guess people say stupid things about MS because people say stupid things.

Okay, now I'll get back to trying to think of my entry...

Shortly after I was dx and in the middle of my first flare, I managed to make it to school off and on. One of my students said at least you aren't in a wheel chair. I wasn't getting around too great at the time with my cane. And a colleague in another department insisted on knowing what was wrong with me. When I finally told her, she told me that she had a neighbor that had ms and it appeared that I was really going down hill quickly.

when a neighbor heard about my MS, she said "OMG! everyone I know that has ever had MS has been in a WC within 3 years! I cant believe I am going to have to watch another friend go down that path!"

I really wanted to slap her.

The one that stands out in my mind wasn't the woman's fault, because she didn't HEAR me correctly.

I was having trouble getting around, and she asked if something was wrong...

I replied, "I have MS".

And she said, "Oh, I know what you mean, I'm a mess, too!"

I've now learned to say "multiple sclerosis" unless I'm sure the person knows what MS means.