@Just a Hello Fellow MS Family on Shift.ms

Just a Hello Fellow MS Family

Hello, my name is Michael Russell and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2009 after a five-year-long medical journey of tests, therapy, and doctor visits. Being diagnosed at age 54 and looking back at my physical changes over the years MS may have begun in the mid to late ’80s. Before being diagnosed I mostly focused on work and becoming successful and being the best at everything, I took part in. My MS diagnosis reshaped my vision of life. I now focuses on the simple things of life such as a sunrise, sunsets, and seasonal changes throughout the year. I spend time helping others newly diagnosed navigate the MS journey as an Admin on MS Facebook pages, Advocate with the National MS Society, and an Advocate and writer for MultipleSclorosis.net. I grew up in Southern California and moved to Highlands Ranch Colorado in 1994. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

How excellent that you use your skills to advocate and write for MS related pages. Yes, I think MS puts you into a different era of life. But, of course, other more positive things can put you into a new era….like, perhaps, having grandchildren? (None yet for me). Or perhaps upon reaching a certain age….or starting new hobbies or studies. I keep thinking about an earlier post today where someone spoke about getting a short haircut to kind of represent their new MS diagnosis. I think what you say is similar. Once you have MS, it doesn’t change who you are, but it can “reshape your vision” of life. I tend to think it is better to focus on those simple things. A lot of the material stuff, money and ‘success’ that we strove so hard for in our earlier career, just drops off from view. It is not that meaningful. Other things take the place of that ill-defined success. I have learned to be content whether I’m in a period of calm or in distress. I may not always like it, but by the grace of God, I can be content with less. Glad to meet you. Thank you for sharing.