Talking to friends/family about MS
I was diagnosed in Dec 2024, and I often forget that I even have it, not because I don’t have symptoms but bc I’m still not used to identifying the origin of those symptoms with MS. My friends and family perceive me as very independent and capable, so they often forget I have it too. It is frustrating, however, when I am having a bad day or when I create boundaries that they don’t understand. I don’t know the right way to communicate to them that it’s bc of my illness without sounding like I’m throwing my illness in their face, or as if I want sympathy. A lot of that has to do with my own pride, but I don’t want to be that person that uses the “illness card” - does this make sense? Can anyone relate? And does anyone have advice on how to communicate your boundaries w/o attracting pity
Was not easy. Had to get my own head around it and then explane it to everyone. Although i dont like being treated like i am disabled. Its not a easy thing to talk about or get used to :( i dont like people taking pity, im me and im trying to live my life to how i used to. Although i end up burning out lol
I just boldly throw a negative and a positive into the same sentence and have become thick skinned to it over the years. For example if somebody says do you want to go for a rural walk then I'll say I'm really keen to do that but due to symptoms I'll be walking a bit slower than you is that okay.