Please avoid the MS hug!

Its horrible to experience and at best, it’s like wearing clothing that’s too small, without the humour and being held under water.

It’s so overwhelming, I do understand why many who have multiple sclerosis (MS) do pull the curtains in our homes, in a desperate bid to avoid having this unwanted experience.

What I find helps, is sipping cold water that also has ice- whether it’s cubes, locks or slabs – it helps to combat this.

Ironically it is the heat we need to stretch our bodies, so do this before doing any intense exercising.

I’m not a trained or certified dietician or exercise instructor but I can say, with experience, I find doing these things, along with exercise, whether it be weight bearing or aerobics, do help us to cope with this heat.

The only thing left for me to say is this:

ENJOY THE HEATWAVE!

Light and peace

 

Andria

CHRONIC ILLNESS TRUTH.

No one with a chronic illness dreams of being stuck in their bed, house, flat or being on a couch all day.

I assure everyone, it's not a choice or vocation.

People with a chronic illness are just like you, with hopes and dreams of the future.

But sometimes, our bodies give us no choice but to be stuck in our homes, wishing we could be the active people we once were.

But don't forget, regardless of your health: you are here because you have every right to be here!

Light and Peace

Andria

I understand why I can't get a job.

As I’ve said before and I still stand by this, nobody has a duty to give me a job, if they don’t want to.

I do miss the freedom to also have a focus, to stive to achieve a goal and getting there. which comes with having a job.

As much as I don’t want to admit this, despite taking few sick-days in my time, looking at the other conditions that come with multiple sclerosis (MS), I understand why people are unwilling to employ me.

If, like me, you ae a workhorse, you never get use to the pain of not working but you accept, the conditions that come with MS are out of our hands.

When my GP said to me: "I have to sign you off from work", I hated her for saying these words to me, but within five minutes of her saying this, I knew she was right.

Sadly I still keep applying for jobs, hoping that someone will give me a chance.

I also accept employing a person who is dealing with::

                       

Depression

Memory issues

Vision problems

Losing my ability to write

Fatigue

Motability issues

Numbness

Loss of balance (wheelchair included)

Dizziness

Spasms

Cognitive issues

Anxiety

Tremors

Pain

Bladder issues

Bowel problems

Motor skills

 

Work meant I had skills that I’d practiced long and hard to perfection. To lose these skills and abilities, because of my disability, that I wouldn’t have chosen to have, and it's still gut-wrenching.

I’ve learnt how to speak again, using exaggerated articulation but I can’t write or audio/touch type.

I still apply for jobs that are for a data entry person but they won’t contact me again, despite these jobs being seated jobs, which is suited to my needs.

Remember this, to all people with a long-term health issue:

 

YOU ARE HERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE HERE!

 

Light and Peace

 

Andria

I CAN’T DO ANYTHING ANYMORE. I’M A WASTE OF SPACE!

I’m all too aware of this feeling, especially when it comes to making job applications.

Even now, it still hurts when I get rejected for jobs that I can do but when they realise I’ve got multiple sclerosis and asthma, they lose their enthusiasm to have me in their company.

The right support changes everything for the better. I’m a loyal and hard-working person but once they realise I’m in stage two of MS, I won’t hear from them again.

So I remind myself of what I’d say to myself before having this long term illness. Nobody has a duty to give me a job.

But please remember this, if (like me) you do have a chronic neurological disease affecting the central nervous system:

Your illness is not your fault.

You didn’t choose to be unwell.

You do not deserve to be unwell.

You are not letting anyone down by having MS.

You are not a failure by having MS.

 

The following statement goes for everyone, male and female, regardless of your situation, race or sexuality:

Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty or obligated.

 

 

Light and Peace,

 

Andria.