Having a Chronic Illness, But Thriving, Thanks To Healthy Living

I’ll start with the sad part of this story, then end with happier news. The sad part is that I was diagnosed with the chronic illness Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which can cause many problems for a person, both physical and mental. Some people with MS even lose the ability to walk. A tragedy for sure.

It can also lead to cognition dysfunction is areas such as memory, finding and saying the right word, attention, planning amongst them. I can certainly vouch for the truth of some of these, my memory has gone downhill, since MS came into my life, and I am finding myself searching for the word I’m trying to say, more and more. I’m a writer, and losing control of my words feels cruel to me, even more cruel, perhaps …

My newest book, launched in May this year. (writer’s photo)

These things are worse when I am feeling stressed, and I’ve certainly finding my symptoms are much reduced when I’m able to reduce my stress levels in life. I’m able to walk better and further, with less of an effect on my physical abilities even a taking a longer than usual walk.

These days, I use my diary, and my calendar on my phone to keep a track on what I have planned to do and as long as I remember to check every day I forget far fewer events and ‘duties’ for the day.

So being aware of my chronic illness, and taking steps to deal with what it…