Since this is my final article, I wanted to say thank you – I hope you enjoyed reading the articles as much as I enjoyed writing them! And, thank you again to Ebony for giving me the chance to share my story. Oh, and if you want to connect you can find me on IG @slsalvaggio 🥰
The last MS story has to do with the power of perspective and having gratitude.
I frequently refer to my MS journey as a rollercoaster ride I didn’t sign up for (but I wouldn’t change it either). The disease has taken my eyesight and the ability to be spontaneous, but it also puts a lot in perspective and reminds me to be grateful, everyday.
The thing is, chronic disease or not, we all have good days and bad days. If you’re like me, on a bad day perspective goes out the window. Basically, I turn real negative, real quick. “Everything goes wrong. Nothing EVER works out. Of course I messed it up” play on repeat in my head.
Then, all of a sudden my thoughts will be interrupted by MS – part of my face will go numb or my arm will feel wet (but it’s not) or I will trip. And boom, my perspective instantly shifts from being negative to being grateful. Grateful that I can feel my face *most* of the time. Grateful that I have the option to take the stairs, even if I stumble. Etc. Etc.
I realize quickly that in the whole scheme of things whatever I am being negative about doesn’t really matter. Having gratitude can shift your perspective with anything. Plus, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for. You just have to find it. You may have to dig a little, but…it’s there.
What are you grateful for at this very moment?