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Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without this memory...



On November 24, 2004, the night before Thanksgiving, I was given some news that I have seen a lot of people be distraught over. I’ve seen some go into depression over it. I’ve seen others be angry over it. I’ve seen some give up entirely. It has been 18 years since I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The National MS Society describes MS like this…

 

“MS is a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, which make up the central nervous system and controls everything we do. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but we do know that something triggers the immune system to attack the central nervous system. The resulting damage to myelin, the protective layer insulating the wire-like nerve fibers (axons), disrupts signals to and from the brain. This interruption of communication signals cause unpredictable symptoms such as numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness and/or paralysis. Everyone’s experience with MS is different and these losses may be temporary or long lasting.”

 


 

The first 14 years of my diagnosis, I rarely went past 6 months not having a relapse (or flare up). I’ve had to be fed. I’ve talked with a stutter. I’ve been hospitalized hundreds of times. I’ve had to use a cane, walker or a wheelchair, many times. I’ve even gone blind temporarily, which is called optic neuritis. Just last week, it was estimated that I have received AT LEAST 90,000 mg of IV steroids, due to MS. That doesn’t count any steroids that I would have had for any other infections. Because of that, my bones have deteriorated and by the time I was 38, I had two back surgeries, and all of my teeth removed.

 

I am grateful to have experienced all those setbacks. Otherwise, how would I even think to be thankful for the things that can truly be taken for granted. Like, being able to feed yourself. Being able to close your eyes and stand up at the same time. To walk through the grocery store instead of using a wheelchair. To park farther away from the store. To see, hear, taste,  and speak without a stutter.


When you’ve been confined to a wheelchair or a bed, or you’ve had to use a cane or a walker, you suddenly realize that you should be thankful for that extra mile you are able to walk. When you lose your vision for a time, you suddenly are thankful to be able to see that eyeroll. When you need to have someone feed you, you suddenly appreciate the task of making your own food and feeding it to yourself.


Don’t do like I did and wait until you’ve lost it to be thankful for it. Be thankful for every good and bad thing that happens in your life. Grow from the pain and spread the good to others.

 

 

I know everyone has experienced a broken cell phone charger at some point. You know the one that stops charging as soon as you set your phone down?

Can you depend on that charger every single time you plug it in? If it still gets a connection, it’s possible that it’ll charge your device. It won’t work if it’s severed.

Here's the thing with this analogy, though. You can go buy a new cord at the store. I can’t.

 


 

STAY CONNECTED!






















Most importantly, don’t allow the devil to create a disconnect. He might succeed in causing demyelination in your life, but don’t allow him to sever the nerve fibers. Don’t allow him to keep you from having a relationship with the Lord. Stay connected! Be thankful for the many blessings in your life. Even the hard ones. 












Happy MSiversary to me!


#CureMS #WithGodAllThingsArePossible #Survivor #Warrior #Unbreakable #Unstoppable #OnlyGodCanStopMe #MSsucks #JustKeepSwimming #18YearsAndConting #ImNotGivingUp

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