We are a charity and rely on donations

Charity Number: 1117194 (England and Wales)

Registered Company: 06000961

Registered address:
Shift.ms, Platform, New Station Street, LS1 4JB, United Kingdom

London office:
Shift.ms, Somerset House, Strand, West Goods Entrance, London WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom

©2026 Shift.ms

@MaxxB 

Last reply

MaxxB

Hello!

I was recently diagnosed with MS, last year November (the day before my birthday) 😩 and I still haven’t completely accepted the fact that I have it. At times I’m embarrassed, don’t want to talk to anyone or be seen. I’ve been slowly becoming more comfortable with having MS though just not the way I’d like to be comfortable with it. It’s more of me accepting it because I have to vs accepting it because I’m ok with it. Just wondering if anyone have any suggestions on how to become more comfortable with everyday living life having MS.
First posted on the Shift.ms app
7
@messi100
@messi100
 

I remember being in a state of shock for the first year not totally accepting it. My MS nurse and doctors helped answer the big questions and over time participating in MS support groups or walks or this chat helped me feel more comfortable.

3
@jona
@jona
 

Oh wow. The day before your birthday? That's tough! 😥 What is it that you wish to be more comfortable with? In my case I was diagnosed aroubd a year ago and have learned since that digesting the diagnosis follows the stages of grief, just that with chronic disease what happens is that once you went through all the stages of grief (I don't remember them, you can look then up... it's something like 1. denial, 2. anger, 3. sadness, 4.acceptance...i'm sure I got this wrong ... anyway), so once you completed the stages, it's like a circle, it will eventually re-start over the course of your life multiple times. I think I had 2 circles this year, with the second one being way faster and easier than the first. Then again, that's just one of the psychological theories. In any case it's a challenge to integrate MS into your identity, I find. Then again, I have to say that there's a part in me that feels really incredibly proud. It's so incredibly badass to live life with MS and be a decent, kind and fun human being. I feel since my MS I have more admiration for my struggles and successes. Especially in a world made for abled bodied people...Do you have that part in you too that admires your strength and resilience?

1