Dear Multiple Sclerosis, I'm Stuck With You, but That's OK

Dear multiple sclerosis,

You came into my life 17 years ago — what a Valentine’s Day present. You’ve stayed with me, never wandering or leaving me. You’ve encouraged me to do things I never thought I would, like traveling for six weeks alone (well really, you were there with me) in my wheelchair. You came to all my sit-down comedy shows and laughed with me. You eat with me, sleep with me, wake with me, in fact, you’re with me everywhere I go!

They say you will never leave me, so we’re stuck together forever. But that’s OK. I’ve learned to live with you and I’ve gotten used to the way I’ve become with you. You’ve definitely made a mark in my life. Everyone can see what you’ve done to me, yet they also see a woman who, as they say, “nevertheless, she persisted.” You’ve made me tough. You’ve made me fierce, you’ve made me a warrior and a survivor. In fact, you have changed me completely to be the best that I can be.

Because of you, I am the healthiest I’ve ever been. Because of you, I’ve gotten back in the water to swim and I do it almost every day. Because of you, I’ve learned to see the small things in our world, appreciate what I have, take one day at a time, stop and smell the flowers. I’ve learned what love is — real love.

I could keep going on and on, but let’s see what the future holds.

Thank you, MS. You have changed my life for the better.

P.S. I still dislike you, though. Feel free to leave whenever you want.