@aleks 

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aleks

Tomorrow, fears, expectations, hopes, adjustment... what?!

Hi all, this seems to be my first post in here, so let me briefly introduce myself - I'm Aleksandra (or Aleks, for everyone who doesn't want to make me feel old). Polish, law graduate, at-home DJ for my cat and boyfriend, matcha addict, MSer since 2013, living abroad since 2016 (yes, I managed to move my treatment to another EU member state and it seems I'm about to do it again :P).As you probably know, Shift MS has been making a series of videos about 'tomorrow' (whatever it means to each one of us) and I wanted to show you the one with me enjoying these 60 seconds of fame, hahaha! But seriously, all this brainstorming gave me a headache, because, really, what is TOMORROW for me, for all of us? Something to be scared about or maybe something to look forward to? I think I am a bit of both, I am terrified of how I'd be able to remain active in my professional life (my legs don't work very well and I am avoiding going out as much as possible, it just exhausts me and stresses me out), I fear I will never be appreciated again for my knowledge, education and passion for law (don't judge me) and I will be seen by my employers as this poor disabled girl, who shouldn't be overburdened with duties (yep, there's nothing better than scheduling meetings instead of doing some legal work, like other lawyers do) and so on.On a positive note (yes, I managed to come up with one), I REALLY, TRULY BELIEVE that any type of disability will become the 'new normal' one day. Nobody will look at me strangely when I come with my cane to a techno party (oh yes), hairdresser, or have my manicure done. OH YES, THIS IS HAPPENING. This is just the beginning, I will be going out, I will look gorgeous and classy, even with this pink cane of mine. I will be an amazing lawyer/DJ and if anyone ever doubts that, he/she will have an unpleasant rendez-vous with one aluminium cane from Amazon, which is light but quite powerful (the pain is real), when used by very upset MS warriors.So, are you with me? Share your stories, let's pump ourselves up! TOMORROW CANNOT BE THAT SCARY!PS. Just wanted to underline that I put on my best and cleanest hoodie to shoot this video. There is also real make-up visible, first time in a year or so (yaay me)!PS2. I call myself an MS warrior, but I cry and dramatise a lot, trust me. I guess this is how it is, right?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWeD3qP_9j0
@ss17

I love this @aleks. I agree with much of what you said, tomorrow for me is a little scary - I’m in my early 30s with lots that I still want to achieve professionally and personally, and I do worry that the MS could change my ability to do some of that. I am really pragmatic and have accepted this but it’s still scary. On the other hand I feel hopeful - like you I hope that as a society we become more accepting and compassionate to each other and people with a limp, cane, tremor (insert any other visual change due to ms or other conditions) can just do their thing without being stared at etc and I’m hopeful of the progress being made in the scientific community of understanding and managing MS. I hope more choices around treatments do become available.

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@Michelle_Donovan

Thank you @aleks for being positive. I resigned from my work over 11 years ago but, perhaps I can still do something. I was working with Mental Health and Addictions. I resigned to focus on my own mental health. I now feel like I may be able to work or volunteer is that arena again.