I intend this blog to be a mixture of my personal experiences with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and news related to MS. Hopefully, I can shed an optimistic light on MS even though it is difficult to be an optimist living with MS.

Monday, March 14, 2011

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? 

7 comments:

  1. YAY YOU, Chelsea!
    to me MS= good days and bad;
    questions without answers;
    changes in plans;
    lots of surprises;
    hmmm... MS =LIFE. :)

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  2. I Love your MS = best! well it is my thoughts also.
    kim

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  3. Thank you for the comments and sharing what MS equals to you!!!

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  4. I love what MS means to you. For me MS= change.
    It's completely turned my life upside down.
    Great post. Nice positivity. I've said it before thats my goal too. I just hope I'm doing as well as you. Nicole

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  5. CSA, your blog is WONDERFUL! It offers so much useful informtion for others. I wish you well in your journey. I have started on Gilenya, and I am finding it to be very helpful. Thank you for checking out my blog which charts my Gilenya experience.

    http://gilenya-girl.blogspot.com/
    Be well, Kathy

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  6. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm looking forward to reading more of yours! I love your optimistic attitude about MS. Very inspiring - I love the idea of thinking about it as an opportunity.

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