Or, there's the lamp explanation.

If you plug in a lamp or a toaster, or a radio, but the coating around the electric wire on the appliance wears out, the appliance won't work right.

There's nothing wrong with the appliance. There's nothing wrong with the electrical outlet. But, there's a problem with the connection between the two.

That's like our brains. The problem is with the connection -- not with the muscles, as in muscular dystrophy, or not with the eyes, in vision stuff. Just with the connections between them and our brain. The messages are not getting from the brain to the legs, or the eyes, or the bladder, or whatever the problem is.

I've used this explanation with adults. You can simplify it some, for a 7 y.o.

But, I like the bridge explanation, too, that missj posted.

~ Faith

My little girl was five when I was diagnosed (and my son was seven). I told them that sometimes, especially when I am tired, my legs (arms, eyes or whatever it was at the time) couldn't hear my brain when it told them what to do so the message got mixed up - like when they play Chinese Whispers at a birthday party.

I explained it in much more detail later, but that seemed to work in the early years.

Lyn

My kids never asked, they grew up with Jim having ms. They just knew Daddy wasn't able to do some things like run. Good question. Many times little ones are deathly afraid of Jim due to his power chair. But after they realize they can get cool rides they love him. lol

;sorry I can't be as helpful, but came across this, maybe in one way or another you could use it, prob not anyways ;

That's a good one Cinders.

Thank you for sharing.

Ha Ha hey sandy... You will love this one. So we were at the store one day when DD and I are in the same aisle as a man in a wc. He was a double amputee, young guy. He had asked me to reach something for him on the top shelf. DD was staring and staring, and awfully quiet. Then from nowhere she says, are your legs in the shop?? LOL It was too funny. He said "Nope. I left them in afghanistan so the other soldiers could use them to run faster so they could catch the bad guys". DD says "Oh, well maybe you should have sent them a package with some candies and coffee instead, that's what my mommy does. But her legs don't work too good, so she sends them coffee!" LOL

It was too funny!

That is adorable! I love it and love his response too!

I love how an innocent's mind works.