From there, I knew I had to get on the ball, and get my proper care team together. That included a good neurologist, a therapist, and a supportive community.
Truly, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to surround yourself with a circle of friends and family who can be there through every step. When I was first diagnosed, my husband told me this isn’t just your disease, it’s our disease. This type of caring and compassion is how I’m able to get through the really tough times.
I also began incorporating healthy lifestyle practices into my routine, which I’ve kept up to this day. First and foremost, moving my body regularly is key—if I don’t, I feel like I get super stiff and my mental health isn’t where it should be.
As I progressed on this journey, I also discovered music therapy—which has been around for an extremely long time. I began doing this type of work through MS in Harmony. They have different educational modules on their website led by board-certified music therapists. These exercises are designed to help people with MS support brain function, and potentially mitigate physical and mental symptoms. I’ve found this type of therapy to be so powerful.
Another thing I’ve had to learn is how important it is to be realistic about my bandwidth, and preserve my energy accordingly.
