One of the most frustrating, and enlightening aspects of MS, for me, has been seeing who the true friends are in my life.
The most frustrating part is the group of people who have no clue about the disease and suddenly feel they're an expert. I don't mind it when people send me information they've found. I absolutely hate it when people act like you're not fighting if you don't follow their advice and use some "snake oil" remedy they've come across.
I don't hesitate breaking ties with that group. "Use ozone therapy! It will cure it!" "Read and use this diet book! It cured the author!" "Doctors don't want you healthy! They just want your money!"
The second group is of those who act all concerned, but won't listen to anything you tell them about the disease and don't have 5 minutes to educate themselves. One minute they're telling you, "It's too bad you live so far away, otherwise I'd come help." and then the next they're telling you, "If you need ANYTHING, call me! I'll be right there to help!" A week or so later, they're trying to get you to come over and help them with something despite telling them numerous times that you're no longer able to do that type of stuff. Want you to drive 35 miles to their house, but in 15 years, they've never, even once, been to your house and have never helped you.
I have found that I never have to say a word, or explain anything to those who truly care. They drop everything to help and always will. Those who pound the pulpit and swear they're the truly caring person are generally the last I'd call because when it comes time, they've got every excuse for why they can't be there for you.
Living alone, it has its own challenges as many know. On a positive note, I do thank MS for helping me realize how important some people are and how useless/fake others tend to be. It feels like the garbage area in Star Wars. The walls keep moving in, confining you to a smaller world. Some will work tirelessly to make it stop and help you. Others will get back to you after they catch the great buffet they're having in the casino.
The most frustrating part is the group of people who have no clue about the disease and suddenly feel they're an expert. I don't mind it when people send me information they've found. I absolutely hate it when people act like you're not fighting if you don't follow their advice and use some "snake oil" remedy they've come across.
I don't hesitate breaking ties with that group. "Use ozone therapy! It will cure it!" "Read and use this diet book! It cured the author!" "Doctors don't want you healthy! They just want your money!"
The second group is of those who act all concerned, but won't listen to anything you tell them about the disease and don't have 5 minutes to educate themselves. One minute they're telling you, "It's too bad you live so far away, otherwise I'd come help." and then the next they're telling you, "If you need ANYTHING, call me! I'll be right there to help!" A week or so later, they're trying to get you to come over and help them with something despite telling them numerous times that you're no longer able to do that type of stuff. Want you to drive 35 miles to their house, but in 15 years, they've never, even once, been to your house and have never helped you.
I have found that I never have to say a word, or explain anything to those who truly care. They drop everything to help and always will. Those who pound the pulpit and swear they're the truly caring person are generally the last I'd call because when it comes time, they've got every excuse for why they can't be there for you.
Living alone, it has its own challenges as many know. On a positive note, I do thank MS for helping me realize how important some people are and how useless/fake others tend to be. It feels like the garbage area in Star Wars. The walls keep moving in, confining you to a smaller world. Some will work tirelessly to make it stop and help you. Others will get back to you after they catch the great buffet they're having in the casino.
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