Empathy and gratitude.
There are two gifts relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis has given me: empathy and gratitude.
Empathy
During a nasty MS attack a decade ago that affected my entire right side, I had to go into a supermarket.
My balance was shot and I had no cane and was holding onto a trolley. It was for support more than purchases. I was seeing triplicates of everything, all layered over each other, like a low-budget film.
As soon as I stepped into that artificial world of SupermarketLand, it was an onslaught.
People charged around with trolleys and prams. Children ran underfoot.
Teenagers came at me around blind corners.
Perhaps it was Pension Day because older people were shopping as well. I suddenly understood. I knew what it was like to be an 80-year-old. To be frail. Wobbly. Poor eyesight. Slightly confused with the noise and the ridiculous amount of choice.
I learned empathy for older people that day. Empathy based on deep understanding from lived experience. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like.
Gratitude
With relapsing-remitting MS, the symptoms become acute, but they also fade away over time. They dissipate. You can walk again.
I was blind, now I see. It’s spiritual.
When your body is taken away, grossly impaired, we feel blessed to get it back, to get another chance —because the truth is we’re never entirely sure whether we will get better.
Gratitude for being like before, although we are never the same as before, we’re changed.
Paramahansa said to have a human life is a noble privilege. We are here to learn.
Unlike the symptoms of MS, the gifts from lived experience don’t remit, they stick.
Empathy and gratitude are gifts we can call upon any time and every day, and we are richer, so so much richer for having them.
Enjoy every day. Learn what you can. Be kind.
Be well xo
