Stumblr: Life with MS

I fall down. A lot. As you can read here , there are many reasons why people with MS have trouble walking. Me, I experience foot drop on my left side, which causes me to trip over my own feet. My balance isn't great, nor is my energy. All of that plus a habit of moving too fast and pushing too hard means plenty of falling. Usually it’s a simple toe-caught-on-the-uneven sidewalk sort of thing. Or maybe a changed-directions-too-quickly-at-home collapse. Or a it’s-3am-and-I-forgot-our-bedroom-has a-step-in-it spill. (Yes, our bedroom has a step in it. I know, I know.) Whenever/wherever/however I fall, my first thought is always the quickest of body scans before my mind races to witnesses and how to appease them. I spend significantly more time worrying about ensuring that those around me are okay with what has happened and minimizing their embarrassment than I do about my own welfare. Maybe it’s a lady thing. Maybe it’s a Rebecca thing. It’s just what I do. Tuesday morning I wal...

I recently found myself in the elevator with someone high up in the organization I work for. We don't know each other, but we've exchanged pleasantries before. A hello, how are you, nice weather -- office chat. That day was different, though, because he had a large, complicated sling with a padded wedge holding his arm at a specific angle off of his body. I felt it required acknowledgement but didn't want to be so bold as to ask what happened. So what did I say? "Well, that's a bold new accessory!" And as I did so, I realized I'm an asshole, too. I don't think I offended this gentleman or that I was out of line. I definitely was participating in the sort of jokey, vague comment that I complained about in my last post, though. I try to greet the awkward/repeated comments of strangers/acquaintances regarding my scooter in the spirit in which they’re offered -- a way of acknowledging my situation through friendly small talk. Within 24 hours of my ...