Wow Chris, you've really made us stop and take a good look at ourselves and our whole value system. By value, I mean the way we see ourselves, self-worth. This miserable, horrible, sadistic, and just plain lousy disease gradually whittles away at our pride, confidence, worth -- whatever we chose to call it.

Like you Chris, I HATE HAVING TO DEPEND ON OTHERS! As after my nap said, growing up to be independent and not trusting others to do things for me was just the way to go. It became an integral part of my life -- I can sooo remember my father saying, "If you don't do it yourself, who will?" In most of life, that way worked, (except maybe my marriage, the ex said I was too independent......huh?) But that was how we were raised! Now all of a sudden due to nothing we knowingly did, we're saddled with this "thing" that continues to rob us of our independence/worth/pride.

Perhaps like some of you, living alone I have to continue to be as independent as possible. When the MS steps in and causes my bladder to work overtime, fatigue causes exhaustion just trying to take a few steps to turn off a light, etc., I feel I HAVE to do these things. Afterward a good cry is usually on the "agenda".

Is this pride? I don't know. It just seems to me our lives are taking a gradual downward spiral with one function after the other being taken away. Giving up just isn't in the cards for me, another type A personality, but in some areas we have no choice. This journey is a continual series of "adjustments" to our former selves. Whatever it's called, I HATE IT!!!