Living with Multiple Sclerosis can feel like fighting an uphill battle. You may feel alienated from the world when your symptoms make daily routines difficult, and it can be lonely feeling as if no one can understand or even relieve your symptoms.
However, there are many people focused on creating positive and uplifting messages for patients and their families. Inspirational quotes can help motivate you to work past your discomfort and pursue a happy and functional lifestyle. These 4 quotes about living with MS can help you stay positive and continue working toward your health goals.
“I don’t concentrate on things I can’t do. I do what I can do.” – Betty Cuthbert
As a top Australian Olympian, Betty Cuthbert won 4 gold medals before Multiple Sclerosis started limiting her mobility. However, while she can no longer run, she focuses on her energy on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes walking and other comfortable exercises that help her keep the mobility she has. It is important to remain focused on the activities you can still engage in rather than beating yourself up for actions that are now beyond your control.
“MS continually challenges me to find a balance between pride and humility.” – Lexine Darden
Lexine is a blogger for many MS websites, but her post expressing personal difficulties with accepting help from others – especially during the holiday season – may sound familiar to many MS patients. An MS diagnosis often means that your reliance on others will definitely increase, whether it be help in the kitchen every once in a while or full-time assistance from a hired professional.
However, accepting this help does not mean you are a weaker person. Lexine reminds us that this diagnosis requires strength, both physically and mentally, in order to overcome the stress MS puts on patients’ pride, potential, and stability.
“Walk slower, but smile more.” – Multiplesclerosis.net
Coined by a recently-diagnosed patient, this simple yet powerful quote sums up a popular sentiment among the MS community. While it is important to listen to your body and heed warnings of symptom outbreaks by maintaining comfortable physical boundaries, there’s no reason why you cannot continue to have fun and live your life at the same time. MS may feel like a barricade on your lifestyle, but confining yourself within those barricades is no way to live.
Yes, changes will be made, you may have to walk slower, eat differently, and even learn to bear with physical pains and discomforts, but don’t forget to count the many reasons you have to keep smiling. Whether it’s your friends, family, or your sense of humor, your ability to smile will be your greatest strength when it comes to resisting the disease.
“I decided to view my illness as a call to action – as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of millions who suffer from MS and their loved ones.” – Montel Williams
Because the MS community is so large, once you are diagnosed with the disease, you will be put in contact with many support groups and health care professionals who are working toward alleviating symptoms and ultimately finding a cure for the disease. Friends and family members will also find the support they need in order to better help their loved ones who have been diagnosed.
While MS symptoms vary and many patients initially feel alienated and alone, opening up about symptoms and sharing with the world the facts about the disease, its onset, and its development will not only help educate others but will also raise awareness. Awareness will lead to group thinking, group understand, and eventually – hopefully – a cure.
What’s your favorite motivational quote?