For me, every month is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month – a patient’s perspective

I intended to place together a set of data and statistics to share about MS, but as I started to jot down, it became more about what I personally do to boost awareness of MS. I hope my story provides insight and sheds some light on the patient perspective. I consider that understanding is one among the keys to raised support and look after patients living with chronic disease.

March is MS Awareness Month, a subject near my heart. I actually have lived with relapsing-remitting MS since 2003 and I attempt to live prefer it is “MS Awareness Day.”

Unfortunately, I’m not a scientist who will discover a cure. I’m not a neurologist or a nurse who will treat patients. And finally, I’m not fortunate enough to have money flowing in that I could use for clinical trials or research. So what can I do to boost awareness about MS?

Whenever I hear of somebody who has been recently diagnosed or could also be combating an illness, I’m all the time willing to provide my phone number or email address. I do know all too well that this generally is a constant battle, but I need them to know that they usually are not alone. There is hope and they’re going to get through this battle, learning strategies to enhance their lives and ultimately discovering how strong they honestly are.

I went through all the standard emotions of an MS diagnosis and needed to undergo the grieving process and let go of my life, or no less than my perceived life, before MS. Now I’m truly grateful for MS. I actually have let go of numerous toxic people and negativity and I try to not sweat the small stuff. I actually have chosen a path where I value life and take little or nothing without any consideration.

I actually have all the time been very open about living with MS. I like shocking individuals with the indisputable fact that I actually have MS. I encourage questions and I prefer to share my experiences and knowledge. There is numerous misinformation and folks are inclined to have false ideas about what MS is like and what living with MS means. It is such a various disease that presents itself in so many alternative ways and affects people in so many alternative ways.

I live the very best life I can with MS, and in the method, I try to coach others about what MS is and what it means to individuals who struggle with it day-after-day, every month, yearly. Raising awareness of MS and living life to the fullest is my way of advocating and giving back to the MS community.

I actually have this silly personal belief that if I say something or consider something long enough, it’s going to materialize and turn into a reality. So… There can be a cure for MS. There can be a cure for MS. There can be a cure for MS…

To proceed to boost awareness, I’m celebrating my thirteenth 12 months with MS by running my first half marathon this summer. 13 years, 13.1 miles! Never hand over!

• Best Practices for Alemtuzumab Administration: Practical Infusion Recommendations for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
• Multiple Sclerosis Research: Diagnostics, Disease-Modifying Treatments, and New Therapies
• Your Client Has Multiple Sclerosis: Understanding the Challenge
• The Elderly with Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Implications for Extended Lifespan
• The concept of fatigue in multiple sclerosis
• Visible and Invisible Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis: Which Ones Better Predict Health Problems?
• New therapies for autoimmune diseases
• Autoimmune Diseases: Cost-Effective Care
• Medical Marijuana: Legal and Regulatory Considerations
• Prescribing Sunshine: Evidence That Vitamin D Supplements Work
• Imaging in Self-Management and Integrated Nursing Practice
• Impact of Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment in Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis

Both the corporate and the association are honoring MS Awareness Month by offering subscription discounts in the course of the month of March.