Pure coiencedence and not sure if she had MS, but I am pretty sure it was MS.

I rode my Mountain Bike to the Grocery Store this morning and noticed a woman in one of those store scooters pulling up to her van. As curious as I am for all things MS now, I kinda made a couple of "stalker" loops to see how she goes about getting her bags in the van etc . I wasn't starring....just curious. She stood up out of the scooter with one hand on the van and the other loading bags into the van.

I walked into the store and was checking out the RedBox(movies) when she drives the scooter back into the store. My interest was peaked at this point and I so wanted to ask if it is MS, but I didn't. I was very glad she asked me to grab her a shopping cart that was nearby...she used it as a walker to go back outside where her friend had pullled the van up to the curb. She held onto the cart with both hands and slowly dragged each leg.. they looked super stiff and hardly any bend as she walked, kinda like she was moving her legs with her hips in a dragging fashion....she was slow.

I wanted to ask about MS so bad and wanted to tell her I am new at it, but I was to nervous to mention my MS deal. So I just told her the RedBox was broken and I now had to ride to the other one. She had to be about 40 tops I'd say. Looked like MS to me, but who knows.... I should of just asked, because I have so many questions...Like how long did it take to get to this point, how old were you when it struck....everything. So after doing my White Knight thing I took the cart back into the store.

But yes....I didn't feel as if I had anything MS after I saw her....Poor girl can't move her legs that very well....

Just had to share.... carry on.

The best help I ever got was when I was still walking and driving but struggling with everything. I was trying tio pull a huge container of water out from my cart into my car. A lady just walked up, without a word lifted and put it in. We never exchanged a word, she just did what needed doing and we went on our separate ways. She seemed experienced, like a nurse or Special Ed. teacher or a caregiver. I've been helped by some people who talked the whole time and were so nice" and that did not make me feel very good. They seemed too into what they were doing for me KWIM.

You handled it right Eric. It is not polite to ask.

Good job, Eric! Instead of asking, you could tell her you were recently diagnosed with MS and suddenly are noticing people who look like they need assistance.

Personally, it would have made me rather uncomfortable if a total stranger asked me about my personal health. And this goes for the 2 people who have approached me telling me they had MS, when did you get it etc.

I think it was nice of you to take back her cart. This is humsnity and compassion for others. I do not suggest "intruding" into anybody else's personal affairs - especially if out in public. Just my opinion.