I have MS and need help with daily question I get asked?

Question

I have MS and my life is good but I want more...People are always asking me why I continue to work. I love my job and I would be depressed as heck if I didn't have something to do. Is there life after work when your living with MS?

Answer 1

Oh that is easy. Write it up (or type it up on a card)

"Dear sir/madam:

In answer to your insensitive and over curious question I work because I enjoy it. I enjoy the sense of accomplistment, the good feelings of doing a job and doing it well as does anyone with a true work ethic as myself. Since you have joined a large fraternity of pitying people that see someone like myself as something both special and less than human, I have written this card so I can eloquently explain what would be obvious if you took just a moment to think about it.

I work because I want to. No other reason matters and it is not your place to either question of pity me. Find someone that wants that but you are not looking at them"

then sign it.

Hand that to every insensitive clod that comes along with that idiot question. I for one applaud your efforts to overcome your disability and work. Too many in your place would sit around and wallow and self pity and make someone take care of them and pay all the bills. Family friends or the state. So I applaud you again and wish I was there to give these people a peice of my mind. I would not stand for it. Oh it would NOT be pleasant if they did that before me!

Answer 2

Most popular books on multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic and debilitating wasting of the nervous system, warn against the consumption of saturated fats. SFAs are said to interfere with anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, a statement that is not supported by research. But in two studies involving almost 200,000 women, saturated fat, animal fat and cholesterol were found to be protective. (American Journal of Epidemiology, Dec 2000 1;152(11):1056-64). High intake of omega-6 and trans fatty acids was associated with increased risk of MS. Even consumption of monounsaturated fat, the kind found in olive oil, carried a slight increase in risk. The study did not look at the relation between consumption of excitotoxins, such as MSG and aspartame, and the risk of MS, but it's a no-brainer to put the two factors together for a viable theory: Excitotoxins plus modern vegetable oils equals an epidemic of MS.

http://www.westonaprice.org/causticcommentary/cc2001sp.html

Answer 3

I don't know about life after work but I wouldn't worry about it. Although I sometimes hear about people after their disease has taken over, they speak out at medical schools and conventions to raise awareness and give others hope.
You don't seem to let your MS stop you from anything. My advice would be to just do what you want to do and live your life to the fullest, which you already seem to be doing, before MS takes over.
Since you have a very inspirational MS story, I was wondering if you could submit it to my Support Group Website to give other inspiration. http://helpprob.bravehost.com . Thanks.

Answer 4

I don't know how bad your MS is, but I know my grandmother has had it for over 30 years now and she finds it pretty tough. She needs a walker and has little (or almost no) balance. If she tries to stand still for too long without holding anything, she falls. I feel bad for her and try to help her out as often as I can, but she won't accept help from anybody. She doesn't say anything, but I can see that she's fed up of being that way.

Answer 5

My aunt had MS and she did all she could while she could. Its pretty rude of people to ask you that! Tell them you love your job and intend to live your life as it pleases you.
When my aunt wasn't doing good and had to go into a nursing home, she wrote an autobiography. We unearthed it at my grandmas a few years ago, put it into the computer and made copies for everyone. Any such ambitions for you?

Answer 6

work until you want to.. play until you want to.. date and do anything your body and mind can ..just like anyone else hopefully does..
my best friend has been living with ms for over 15 years.. he no longer works but still goes to baseball games, plays in leagues for cards, dates and has regular visits from his friends, grandkids..

quality of life is what your after.. take the time to find and follow thru with what makes you happy.. ms or not

I would only dignify peoples questions if they are truly your friends..You dont need to ever defend yourself as long as your living your life for you.. the other people that are asking questions - may only be ignorant in your case and should of kept their mouth shut.. I would answer them .."Its my life and I am the one living it"

God bless

Answer 7

People are ignorant. You keep on working if that is what makes you happy. Please exercise and go for physical therapy if needed. Take your medications too. Have a positive outlook. Remember, everyone has something.If you do everything that you can and follow your doctor's advice then hopefully it won't progress to the next stage. If it does,then of course there is still life. You will find the answers that are right for you.

Answer 8

Keep living life! If you give up, the MS will take over! I am in the same boat as you. I am home today, and it drives me nuts. gotta wait til Monday to go back to work!

Answer 9

You can simply answer, "although my body may not be working perfectly, there is nothing wrong with my mind and it needs to keep active." You can also ask them if they would ask the same question of Montel Williams since he continues to do his talk show in spite of MS.

Answer 10

When ask why you continue to work...just say, "So I can spend time with wonderful people like you instead of wallowing in self pitty alone at home while I contemplate terrible things." And you, Why do you work?"