MS, You Have to Laugh
OK, I know what you are thinking, “He has finally lost his mind. There is nothing funny about MS!" Nope, I haven’t lost my mind - a laugh and finding the funny in MS makes for a better day, week, and yes, forever.
So, what’s funny you ask? Truthfully, there isn’t anything funny about living with MS for life. However, we do need to find the humor within the MS challenges we experience along the way. Honestly, with all we face, I wonder why there are not more comedians with MS, like Johnathan Katz. That is good news for me - I still might have a chance.
Finding the humor when living with MS
Yes, I wish to be a comedian like Johnathan and make people laugh. Although some people view me with an "Oh my" - what’s up with that? I have mentioned running into walls, in previous articles, and hearing "be careful." While my response is "I was careful up to the point I hit the wall." Now that’s a comedian’s answer.
There's also the conversational fun, when I can't think of that word. Then yelling it out a minute later, scaring the person I am talking with.
Or maybe the time I was working in the front garden. I was leaning back too much, then was tucking, rolling, and falling. A neighbor driving by stopped to make sure I’m OK while I respond, “I’m fine, just practicing my break dancing." Oh, that look on their helpful face.
More examples of laughing at myself
My favorite story is of a young boy at the gym asking me what my cane is for. I explained to him what it is and why I have it. He asked to hold it and with a puzzled look he asked me, "is it because you are old?" My response was “maybe." He looked at me and said “OK I got to go, bye” and off he went.
Then the fun of Uhthoff’s symptoms sending me into the kaleidoscope world of just colors, figures, and structure outlines. One hot summer I visited the outdoor mall. When my body temperature heated up, I decided to go indoors. I used the restroom, walked out and Uthoff took over. I stood there, looked around for the exit, and could only see colors. You just have to laugh!
Life moves on so let’s have some fun
I know MS has changed our lives forever. I chose, and hope you will as well, not to give up on your dreams and goals. View the future as a blank canvas to paint a bright path to accomplishing anything you want.
Remember, we are what we think we are. With that, I challenge you to think positively, enjoy life, and live like there is no tomorrow.
I typically finish with a funny story of which I hope you have already laughed a bit. Again, thank you for your time and I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Until the next time, enjoy, smile, and pass on a good deed to brighten someone’s life.
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