While this summary of MS pathology only scratches the surface, it gives explanation and further credence to the reality that no two MS stories are the same. For one person MS may look like being confined to a wheelchair. For another, it may mean significant challenges with cognitive function. For another – vision issues and bladder issues. It can also manifest in many ways, in which one person could struggle with all of these symptoms (and then some). 

For me, my MS plunged me into a precipitous plummet of decline. In a matter of 3 weeks, I lost the ability to walk, started losing my vision, and was wetting the bed every night. My body would tremor and I experienced several heart-attack-like episodes (which were later determined to be severe MS Hugs), tremoring, and seizures.

I consider myself very fortunate today as my initial prognosis of being wheelchair bound never did manifest (at least not yet). Thanks to my unshaken commitment to my faith, rigorous diet changes, and unyielding fitness endeavors I have been able to regulate my disease course to a much more “livable” tone. Yet behind the IRONMAN accolades and muscular physique exists a man that still struggles and wages war against MS daily. 

Most of the symptoms I deal with now are invisible to the naked eye. MS fatigue seeks to crush me from the time I wake up until the time I fall asleep. I wrestle with my cognitive acuity that prevents me from staying focused and hampers my short-term memory. I still experience numbness and tingling in my legs, hands, and face. I must stay ever vigilant with my bowel dysfunction and be ready to race to a restroom before I have an accident. I give extra care and attention to the simple act of drinking water as I often choke due to swallowing difficulties. I can’t stay outside in the cold weather for too long as I’ll experience a chronic brain-freeze like pain in my head that is incapacitating. 

Beyond my aggravating symptoms, my biggest grievance with my MS story is how different it is. There is no plug-and-play solution that I can offer to others to “fix” their MS or recover like I did. While there are controllable factors such as diet and exercise that can make a big difference – there is no cure for MS. And just because one approach works for one person, it doesn’t mean it will work for the next. 

But beyond the grievance lies the beauty and blessing of MS. My MS story has helped shape who I am today. It has given me a new lens on life, a new perspective, a new paradigm to live by. Every day is a gift to be cherished. MS has raised my level of necessity in all aspects of life. MS demands that I bring my best attitude, my best effort, and best mindset to each moment of the day. Though my MS will not relent, neither will I. Whether good or bad, painful or pain free, running or wheelchair bound – the only way to get through my MS is to welcome and accept it with open arms; embrace it. 

This is my MS story. It won’t sound or look like anyone else’s and that’s okay. If you really want to know what MS is like, don’t read about it in books or on the internet. Talk to someone who has it. Listen to their story. There are at least 3 million MS stories out there on this planet. Together, we create a beautiful snowfall that shines and reflects a brilliant light on our resolve and undeterred spirit. As long as I still have today to live for, I will continue to strive for the sake of my fellow MS-warriors that fight this battle with me. To them and to all of us: never quit, never surrender, and always…

Embrace the day,
Stephen Glaus