In the past a disease like multiple sclerosis had the tendency to alienate people. Whether your diagnosis affects you mentally or physically, any sort of sickness can stress you out to the point that you don’t want to talk to or see anyone. I know for me, I refused to accept or acknowledge my MS until it took away my mobility.
And in the first years of my diagnosis, as a reaction to my medication, I became a very depressed person. Being sick has such a strenuous reaction to an individual. One of the ways that I started pulling myself out of it, beyond the support of my family and friends, was by turning to the Internet.
I needed to regain control of my life, and the first step was educating myself and tackling MS head on.
Today there are so many social communities and resources I highly recommend you participate in. If you are shy or aren’t ready to share your story, at least take the time to read what others have to say. Remind yourself that you aren’t alone, this isn’t just happening to you, and that there is hope.
You may not know it but there are multiple sclerosis networks, tools, and communities all over the Internet. Here are a few on Facebook:
Among those of course is my Facebook page, MS Living Symptom Free, that I work to manage and share as much as I can to connect and support our community.
I know Twitter may still be like another planet to some of you, but if there is anything to push you to join, it should be to connect with the rest of the multiple sclerosis world.
I actually have two Twitter accounts, one for professional use and then I have my MS Twitter account that I am working at growing every day.
How ever you want to connect, I highly recommend you do it. People will surprise you at how much they are willing to help and care.