I have nothing constructive to add, but I'd like to second Shelley's idea..

I think I would have said:

"I am doing pretty well - there are good days and bad days". Then something along the lines of "not everyone with MS is outwardly disabled and the strangest part of this disease is that so many of the symptoms we deal with are invisible to outsiders. I am happy that my disease is not obvious to you."

Then, close with something like "I really don't like discussing this too much, but if you are really interested in knowing more about MS, the NMSS website has some great info."

That would be if I was behaving myself. If I was really being pissy, I might do what Shelley suggested!

My priest said he had an eye opening experience when he told a parishioner who has an autoimmune disease that he "looked so good" and the guy shot back "well, I wish I felt as good as I look then". He said that made him more sensitive to those of us who have invisible disabilities.

I'm sorry, Natalie . You have some good comebacks now, at least .

I had a nasty experience with former coworkers (I'm on LTD now). When I was still working, everyone knew I had ms but my symptoms weren't very obvious. One day I had severe flare up. I couldn't walk and my cognitive abilities were shot. I had to go on short term disability.

About 3 weeks later (after a course of IVSM) the guys at work offered to pick me up and bring me to our work Christmas party. I was using a walker at that point so I thought "why not!". I really missed work. Big mistake. The only 3 women that I had worked closely with wouldn't even acknowledge me! They literally stared right through me . I was completely confused.

I eventually found out that they were mad at me for leaving them short handed! They didn't believe that I could possibly have gotten that ill "overnight" . I was very hurt by this, naturally. I never saw them again but one of my male coworkers set them straight. His wife has ms too and she's one of my closest friends .

I still wish I had the chance to tell them off myself. Sigh...

Some people just do not want to know and don't want to believe how an illness can just devastate your life. That's their problem not ours.