MS = Opportunity Amidst Adversity

This week is MS Awareness week and the National MS Society is celebrating by asking what MS equals to you.  You can follow this link to the website and add what MS equals to you. 

I decided that for me MS = Opportunity Amidst Adversity.  The opportunity to educate myself and others as to what MS is and what we can do to work toward a cure.  The opportunity to strive to make the world more aware of MS.  The opportunity to raise funds for research that may one day cure MS.  The opportunity to learn more about myself in the process of learning more about my disease.

Although being diagnosed with MS was unwanted, I have tried to make the most of my diagnosis.  I believe that I can (and will, somehow) change the world and I believe that this diagnosis was God's way of heading me down my path to do just that.  That is why for me MS is about finding every possible opportunity available while afflicted with this adverse situation.

As you may (or may not) know, the Kansas state motto is "Ad Astra Per Aspera" which means "to the stars through difficulty."  I have always loved this Latin phrase and, although, my life has not been extremely difficult in comparison to many people, I believe that all people struggle from time to time in some way.  I have often felt that life is a struggle even though I have MANY great things going in my life.  The thing to remember is that it is how you respond to those struggles and how well you can persevere through that adversity that really matters.  I think we should all strive for the stars even when faced with difficulty.  That is what I have tried to do in response to my diagnosis.  It has not always been easy and I know I complain at times, but I really do believe that I will persevere and, hopefully, I will excel. 

This is why for me, MS =  Opportunity Amidst Adversity.

What does MS mean to you?