[doydie]

Erika my parents died in 1998 and 2011. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't talk to them out loud all the time. They will always be with me because I am who I am because of them

[Lynn]

Gosh Erika/Doydie

Both my parents died in 2001 (the same year as I was diagnosed) - I have lost count of the conversations I have had with them over the years since. I would even go so far as to call them my guardian angels now - they were beside me when I was wheeled in to theatre for aneurysm surgery in 2004 - and I feel them protecting me even now.

[jprinz99]

I have learned to accept that I need to use certain tools and equipment (w/c, AFOs. bathroom rails etc). I may not like to use them- but I have come to accept that it helps me in the long run to fight the effets of my MS, as much as possible.

[Debbie D]

Part of me still believes that denial is a coping mechanism that works for me. When I dwell on the various maladies that MS brings, they seem worse.

My neuro seems to be in denial about what MS has become in my body...still tells me "extremely mild" form of MS. So I go with that and push through whatever MS is trying to do to me...most of the time

[Erika]

Debbie,

Mild, moderate and severe are relative to what one is taking into consideration. Your doc may be considering a comparison to someone who has what he perceives to be severe disease, while you on the other hand may be considering the level of life-style impact that your symptoms have on you & your life.

You might ask him "Very mild disease compared to what?" or "On what do you base that assertion?"

Its like when advertisements say things like "Our tires stop on ice better." Better than what? A ski?

With love, Erika

[Lynn]

As long as I can walk (even if it isn't gracefully, and can be slowly and ungainly), speak and be understood, follow some kind of logical plan, clean up after myself, and get to the bathroom in time (at least on most occasions) I will continue to consider myself mildly affected.

If I think any other way, I feel like I have an excuse to stop trying. That doesn't mean I think others should be the same - it's just how I get through from one day to the next. I know that so many of you have it much worse than me and I would never want to discount what you go through.

At the moment, my focus is on PT - getting my back problems right, and hopefully getting stronger and living without falls.

[missj]

My doctor concedes that the disability scales used are lacking. I told him at my last appt that I felt I was doing much better. He said that he'd still classify me as 'moderate' but that that scale meant less than how I was feeling.

They are useful guides for some things, but how we feel inside is the what matters most. keep on keeping on!