On my daily bike ride on the bike/walk path I encountered a woman that obviously has MS. Due to her swinging one leg up and outward I knew it was MS and could see a little bit of balance issues as I approached. With me My MS symptoms aren't really physical, just brain stuff so outward I appear to be in good shape and bike ride like a Mo-Fo lol. She had a hold of a baby stroller so I guess that keeps her from falling. Well this peaked my interest as I never met to many people with MS around here and really wanted to ask her about it and how she is doing.

Well I didn't, just said "on your left" and passed her by. I thought it would be really rude to stop and ask her about her MS so I wasn't really sur eof what to do. I was wondering if that is late stage MS, how long she had it and ect ect... Right now I don't walk like that I walk very normally.

Dam..is it rude to ask someone about it that has it if you are in a public situation? Even yourself is starting to deal with MS also?

She was very pretty and I dare say very young like late 20,s early 30,s I'd say.

Hope to see her out there again...I'd love to get other like friends around here.

One thing that jumps out at me is that you can't be absolutely positive that it is MS that's affecting her. In such a case, I personally might say something like, "Excuse me, I see you walking in a way that indicates multiple sclerosis. I was diagnosed (recently?) and am still trying to wrap my head around it. Do you, by any chance, have MS?"

Saying the words multiple sclerosis rather than the letters has more impact, IMO. Suppose she doesn't have MS. She might think you're saying "a mess".

That's pretty tricky territory, flat-out asking a stranger if he or she has a specific medical problem, especially if you appear to be in good shape yourself. Maybe you can strike up a conversation with her about something more general first, such as "Your baby seems to be enjoying the weather..." and let the conversation flow naturally.

She could have had a hip injury, or even a congenital problem. Of course, you could be right, she could have MS.

Be friendly, talk, tell her first about you having MS (Honest and matter of fact) and see what she says. I've had people tell m eand ask me (once, nobody was sure what my story was) and see what happens. Go slow.

I wish more people would ask me what my issues are. Whether they have MS or maybe something else. I wouldn't be offended. What offends me is folks assuming that I've had one drink too many......because I don't drink!!

unless she is wearing an MS tshirt I would not do it. It may be a stroke she had and she may be recovering and your innocent comment may make it clear that others really see her disability.

What you may do is slow down your bike to walk it as you get near her. As you are passing say something like "whooo I have MS and this heat is really pushing me. ...how are you doing today?" and let her figure out if she wishes to disclose what she has. This way the only person you are outting is YOU. If she wishes to remain hidden she can. She may turn out to be chatty and really need to share, or she may be embarrassed and just want to hide.

Im so glad you want to reach out to her. You are a love.

Sure. That's what Kitty says.