My MS Bully and Me

I am sometimes asked why I called this blog 'My MS Bully & Me' (I know it should read 'My MS Bully & I' however the 'Me' sounded better!).  I have always considered my MS as part of me, but not who I am. I often hear others saying their chronic condition doesn't define them, and perhaps this is what they mean. I see the MS as something I didn't ask for or deserve. An unhappy accident. A convergence of many different factors, both physiological and environmental, that just happened to culminate in creating this particular condition.  Whilst MS is relatively common, particularly in certain geographical areas, it has not featured in my immediate world or in my upbringing. I am the only one in my family to have this condition. In many ways, I am supremely grateful for this. But I do see it as something to bear, rather than any kind of blessing. I often refer to my condition as "my MS," when actually I feel it easier to think of t...

I wrote this poem the other day whilst watching a television programme. I've not been feeling very well these last few months, so I really need others to understand why I'm flying under the radar at the moment. I'm not sure which muse I channelled, but I think it very much sums up how I feel about my communities, both personal, social, medical and online. Thank You to my Support Network People say I look well, And they say it with heart, I say “I’m fine!” (I've got it down to an art!). The invisible pain, Being careful with stress, The fatigue, cog fog And other nonsense. Would you really want to know? Would you be able to cope? Uphill on a MeSsy slippery slope. Yes, sometimes I cry When the future’s unclear, Every memory is precious, Every moment is dear, But there’s no death or disaster, Insurmountable blow, Just unpredictable hope - Time to recover and grow. Thank you for empathy, Patience - too kind - ...

I make no apologies for the initial reason for writing which was purely for some creative therapy! And this works. I get to absorb myself in the writing, sometimes going 'there,' so you can see the true side of MS. However, by proxy,  something else quickly developed when I first began writing. When I look back at my career, indeed all the roles I have undertaken since the age of fifteen, I've always helped people. As cliched as this sounds, I have! This very easily translated into this blog.  It is so important to me that I help others better understand MS, be it their own or that of others I wrote this blog for me and now I write this for both you and I. 6,500 of you have dropped by to read my wonderings, and I really appreciate it. I hope you get something from them too. Remember that of you'd like to be notified of more of my crazy, sorry,  insightful writing, please feel free to like my page which provides info over and being my blog: https://www.facebook.c...