Treatment of MS patients in the past
Lets talk about a subject of the treatment of MS patients in the past, I was told to never talk about or tell anyone I had MS by my doctor, keep the secret or I will never get medical insurance. I spent 20 years feeling like I had to hide and be ashamed of my MS condition.
How terrible,
, but I can understand why your doctor told you that. It's only recently that insurance companies have been required to cover pre-existing conditions. I have a relative who couldn't get insurance for years because she was obese and obesity was considered a pre-existing condition. Before the laws changed, pregnant women often pushed off their first doctor visits until insurance kicked in because their doctor and hospital bills would not be covered if their pregnancies were previouslly confirmed. Insurance discrimination was a huge issue for people with conditions like diabetes that required constant treatment and could not be omitted from medical records. It was shameful, but I wish our society's failings hadn't left you feeling ashamed. We still have a long ways to go with health care, but forbidding insurance companies from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions was a huge step. Thanks for starting this forum. This is an excellent question. Best wishes! - Lori (Team Member) 
, oh, wow! I am so sorry you were told to hide your condition. I mean, I kind of get it, but that doesn't make it right. No one should feel forced to hide their health condition, under fear of losing employment or insurance. I know thigs have improved, but I know it's it perfect, either.
I hope your post helps other members feel like they can share their own stories about MS and how it was regarded in the past.
Thank you for sharing and I hope you don't feel ashamed anymore.
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.I have a strong ego and good self esteem but honestly it was completely shattered when my foot was dragging and I was 20 years old ..I'm 50 now and none of that matters any more but it made things alot worse that I had to hide and I still remember the fear of any one finding out which seems totally unrational today but horrified me at the time ..thank god we have moved beyond that.
Not just shame but excessively worry for 30 years that I would just become paralyzed at any moment. looking back I made things worse by worrying so much but I never had anyone to turn to or talk to about it thank god for groups like this today.
, I hear you. That kind of stress and worry would wear on the strongest person! And I am glad we have online communities that can help people with MS feel connected and less alone. And I hope the stigma and misunderstandings around MS continue to fade!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
