Oh, so that is why

As I talk to people that I know and some I just met, I find out interesting things about myself as well as other people. I think that one of the things I find common is that people are not willing to share that they have MS. I believe it is because those people do not hide their feelings and concerns well. One of the things I encountered is that people have stopped becoming my friend, or I tell someone I have been dating that I have MS and I never see or hear from them again. When I tell collegues at work or even peresonal friends-  the first thing that comes out of their mouth is “Oh, so that is why you have been acting this way”. I find that very annoying.

I have had MS for over 17 years and one of the things I learned was to not tell anyone I have it. Sometimes when I am having a bad day, I just simply say I don’t feel good. The reason is because – and… I know that people mean well… maybe we shouldn’t give her too much to do because it will cause me to become stressed and then an attack will happen or oh… that explains why you look mad all the time, or so that is why you have been acting the way you have been acting. Excuse me? Not understanding this concept at all.

Employers are the first to show the fear. One thing that is mentioned is that – well we are not sure that you are able to handle the work load so we will give it to someone else to do. Nothing like deflating your self-esteem.

Men I have dated over the years, they look at me in disbelief – you have MS – oh ok, then after the night out, I never hear from them again. What a crock! People I am fine. I have good days and bad days. I am fine. It is not a life-threatening disease for most people.

People when they find out you have MS and when they don’t understand what it is you go through everyday they  make wise-ass comments, roll their eyes, sigh and sometimes just say things that do not make sense, and can make it difficult to get through the day. I often wonder if they really support and understand what you are going through. I love this new one I just saw recently, met someone who had MS and the person that was with them was rolling their eyes and making a face like they were being bothered. I was shocked actually. I never came across someone who was being bothered because there was a conversation going on about having MS. Interesting observation which prompted me to write this blog.

Well to all of the ignorant people out there – before you open your mouth and say something dumb, say something that makes no sense and do a thing that would hurt someone, check out a medical webpage and find out about MS and how you can help someone.