"Enjoy the Ride"
by Tamiko Ryan, MS 10/05
Everyone has a different approach to living life. Mine has always been with a smile. There is humor in everything. It’s just that sometimes you have to look a little closer. During my search for what was causing this craziness with my body, I thought of different illnesses that could be on the radar. Multiple sclerosis was not one of them. My husband had never attended any appointments until this one because I thought I could handle all of this on my own. First rule: Nothing you do is done without someone else.
When my doctor told me my diagnosis, I was a little taken by the concept that I actually have MS. My husband left to go to his next appointment and I went on my way to handle my regular household duties. Then I thought about something while driving. I immediately called my husband to ask, "Am I now considered disabled?” He said, "I don’t know, but why do you ask?" Jokingly, I said, "That now I can get front row parking at all my favorite spots".
Crazy that this would enter my mind after such a shocking bit of information, but what else could be more gratifying than not having to circle that parking lot during the holidays. You know how it works; you circle past the doors to see who is coming out, then you follow behind them hoping that their car is not too far from the door.
See, MS has changed all that for me. I got a front spot waiting for me at all times. If you really think about it, I am sure you could come up with an entire list of things that were never considered until MS or Ms. Sheila as we call it in our house. Wow, how many people can get a nurse to come to their house or better yet, I finally got a cleaning lady. You talk about deep clean – they run circles around what I thought was clean. Keep thinking – you will come up with some of your own special treats that you never thought were special.
While it has not been an easy road, it has given meaning the to word LIFE. Life is what you make it. It is a long journey that we all must take with some type of baggage. I have found that taking an active approach to find out what makes LIFE enjoyable is only half the journey. Sometimes if you just stop to look at the stars, feel the wind, smell the roses, watch the birds and all the other wonderful things the world has to offer, you will see that MS is just a small part of your LIFE.
My purpose for this journey is to implore others to “Enjoy the Ride”. It's not as long as you think, so make the best of it.
MS is a tough disease, but I found that simple things such as baking cookies for the kids gives me that security that it does not mean my life is over. I still volunteer when I have the energy, watch my kids play outside, or better yet write – something I never thought would mean so much to me to - share all of my life experiences with people I don’t even know.
So keep your chin up, smile often, and don't forget to smell the roses along the way.
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