Friends/Family

, this is a great question and the answer can really vary, based on your friends and family. Some people are willing to read articles you might share with them on your social media. Others may not be open to that. Also, when famous people like Selma Blair share about living with MS, that can kind of help others understand what you may be experiencing. She has done some recent interviews on her MS and other life issues. Maybe your friends and family would be willing to watch those? Although, I know when celebrities seem to have an easier time with MS, it can lead to unfair comparisons. "So-and-so does juts fine with their MS? Why do you have such a hard time with yours?"


There is a saying in many communities like this one -- "You don't get it 'til you get it." And I think that's pretty true. There's only so much a person without the condition can truly understand. That said, I would hope your loved ones would be open to learning about MS, understanding, and being more empathetic towards you.


I thought you might find this piece relatable -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/advice-for-family-and-friends. And this one as well -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/frustrated-friends-family-impact-comments.


It can be hard to help the people around you understand a complex condition like MS. But, it can be worth it when it works out! I hope your family and friends start listening to you and understanding that MS is a very unpredictable condition.


Thanks for reaching out and I hope this information helps!


Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.

I definitely feel your pain. I was diagnosed about 15 years ago and my sister tells everyone that I am on drugs, my father is in denial and I'm pretty sure he doesn't understand what it is no matter how many times I explain he even admitted that he didn't believe me until he read the letter my neurologist wrote trying to help me get assistance during covid. It really is heartbreaking that family the people who are supposed to be there for you no matter just completely make you a outcast because you were diagnosed with something they don't understand and don't care to learn about because not dealing with it at all is easier for them. My big sister my only sibling and I are no longer on speaking terms our relationship is non existent and there is no coming back after the horrible things she has done to me and my daughter. One of the reasons she hates me she says is because I always need help which is not true but at times we all help especially being a single mother with 3 autoimmune diseases that are mainly in my brain and I am still pushing through working full time and having 3 jobs at times just so I don't have to deal with explaining myself every time something happens or how I'm sick again, lost my job again, boyf broke up with me again, moving due to eviction again.... Despite all of the heartache and pain we've all endured I'm truly grateful that my so called friends and family have shown me who they really are and it's scary that people are so cruel and cold, I'm grateful I'm not living a lie having these people in my life stupidly blind to what happens when I'm not around and now I really don't care anymore I've outgrown all of it and moved away and moved on with my life and I'm starting over where I can be exactly who I am without having to constantly watch my back, explain myself, ask for help, pretend I Want to see family who has become my enemy I can just be and I have never felt more free and relieved in my life. Being on the patient side of everything I have used my diagnosis to help others as much as I can, to listen and understand people when they need someone to have patience and understand they're different and that is the beauty of life DIFFERENCE, and I work in special education with children and teenagers who have had luck like me I decided to put any positivity, love, and understanding into this world to the best of my ability and help as many people as I can because when I needed it I had nobody and who I had threw me away like I was trash and that's just it we are disposable to the one's closest to us and I truly will never understand but I have learned to accept it because without pain there is no pleasure, without darkness there is no light, without lies there is no truth, without assholes there are no angels etc.... I don't care if nobody remembers my name or who I was when I'm gone the only thing that matters is that I'm here now and I just take one beautiful day at a time.