My First MS Support Group

So on Thursday, December 19, 2019, I attended my first MS support group. I did not realize I was even attending a support group. I went to the meeting to support my friend, Kimberly, who was the guest speaker at the meeting. Honestly, I didn’t know the topic of the presentation or anything. Lol. You support your friends and that is all I know. The awesome thing was the information was relevant and the presentation was well done. I give it an A.

This support group is called Missing Myelins. I thought that was interesting because the posts I uploaded in March, MS Awareness Month, was titled Missing Myelin Part 1 and Part 2. The group was a diverse mix of people that actually were pretty upbeat. The majority of the people had been diagnosed within the last 2 – 3 years. There was only about 3 people besides myself who had been aware of the disease as long as I have or longer. There was a lady by the name of Kimesha with a lively spirit and obsessed with food like me. She has a beautiful voice and sang us out with Silent Night. It was fabulous. There was a Nurse Practitioner who said the best thing that happened to her this week was a man telling her she was cute. She was very pretty and I am surprised she doesn’t get told that more often. There was a guy by the name of Tommie that was 6′ 7″ tall with a wooden walking stick made by Brazos Walking sticks that his mom brought him. I looked them up online. They aren’t cheap but they look well worth it. I will definitely invest in one in the near future.

I met some interesting and incredible people who may have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but were not down and out. I met a lovely silver fox who was struggling with her diagnosis because she had suffered for so long with a misdiagnosis as well. Also an amazing lady who was diagnosed with MS as well as Parkinson’s and utilized a motorized scooter. These wonderful people gathered themselves together after a long day at work or just getting out of the house even when they were having a terrible day physically and mentally. I commend them for their strength and perseverance. For coming together to encourage each other. For realizing their need to be supported and to support others.

The topic of the meeting was “Multiple Sclerosis: Understanding and Coping with Depression and Fatigue”. I have definitely experienced fatigue with MS. And there have been days when lassitude set in as well. New word! Lassitude was described as “My tired is tired!” That no matter how well you sleep or if you haven’t even done anything at all, you are still tired. Now that sucks! Thank God I don’t experience that often. My favorite quote of the presentation was “If You’re Going Through Hell…Keep Going” by Winston Churchill. And I believe that is what a good portion of people with Multiple Sclerosis does. Or any other serious, life altering illness or disease. And anyone who is living. Lol.

Now I haven’t experienced depression. I have been sad and I have had days where I was down, but nothing that lingered. I cannot say that I wouldn’t benefit from talking to a licensed professional. But that would be in regards to life in general. Lol. I am thankful that MS is not affecting my mental health at this point. From the presentation I found out that there is not really any licensed professionals that specializes in treating patients with MS in Lucas County and surrounding areas. So I am happy that Kimberly has made it her purpose to serve people affected by Multiple Sclerosis and their caregivers/families. It is needed. And she is the perfect person being as she lives daily with a person affected by MS, her husband.

So I don’t think I will become a regular at the support group but I wouldn’t mind stopping in from time to time. It is great to know there is a group available that is not all doom and gloom. Holly, the group leader, was warm and welcoming. And I like the group name 😂😂😂. I know I’m silly. I am glad that I attended the presentation and the group. Definitely a positive moment. Be well and whole. Love you all.