Still Rolling: My Life, My MS, My Way
If you had told me 25 years ago that I’d be using a wheelchair today, I probably would’ve laughed it off. Back then, at this point in our lives we think we are bulletproof, getting sick is what happens to other people. I was 28 — working 2 jobs , chasing kids around the house, and always on the go. The idea that my legs and body might one day refuse to cooperate didn’t even cross my mind.
But life has a way of humbling you — and teaching you at the same time.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in my late twenties after months of strange symptoms — fatigue that didn’t make sense, numbness and pin and needles that wouldn’t go away, and moments when my legs just didn’t do what I told them to. I was eventually referred to a specialist. When the neurologist said “MS,” I didn’t even know what that meant. All I heard was * your done for, life will never be the same. *
He was right — but not in the way I expected.
Learning to Live Differently
For years, I fought the changes. I pushed through fatigue, stumbled through weakness, and told myself I didn’t need help. That wheelchair sat in the corner for a long time before I finally accepted it wasn’t my enemy — it was my freedom.
Using a chair meant I could still go to my childrens matches , go out with friends or the family, or take trips without worrying about falling. Once I stopped seeing the chair as a loss, I started seeing it as a tool.
I may sit to move, but I still try to move forward — every single day.
Daily Challenges, Daily Wins
Living with MS isn’t easy. Some days my hands don’t cooperate. Other days, the fatigue hits like a brick wall. And yes, I still get frustrated when I can’t do things the way I used to.
But I’ve learned that adaptation is strength. I’ve modified my home in ways that are affordable and easy, built a routine that works for my body, and learned to ask for help when I need it. (That last one took me a while.)
And humor helps — a lot. I’ve found that if you can laugh at the little things, you take away their power to defeat you.
Changing Perspectives
Over the years, people’s reactions have been interesting. Some assume I must be miserable, or that my life is full of limitations. The truth is, I live a good life — maybe even a better one than before.
MS forced me to slow down, to appreciate things I used to overlook: a quiet morning coffee, a good conversation, the simple joy of still being here.
It taught me to value **resilience over speed**, and **gratitude over control**.
Paying It Forward
These days, I try to share my experiences with others just starting their journey. I tell them the truth — that it’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely possible to live a rich, full life. I tell them not to measure life by what they can’t do, but by what they still can — and who they still are.
Because I’ve learned that your worth isn’t defined by how you move, but by **how you keep moving**.
Moving Forward
After 25 years with MS, I’ve had to let go of some things — but I’ve gained much more. Strength. Patience. Perspective. And an unshakable belief that life doesn’t end when your body changes — it just takes a different route.
I may roll instead of walk, rest more than I used to, and move slower than most — but I’m still moving. Still living. Still laughing.
And that, to me, is victory.
( to be continued )
Raymond...
