Family, Friends and MS

As difficult as it was for you to hear the diagnosis for the first time, your family and friends may have a difficult time grasping the reality of your disease too. They may be shocked or overly worried about your health and well-being. They may worry about your finances if your employment is effected.

One thing that you can do to ease the transitional period is to really try to foster a good communication base between you, and your family and friends. Information about multiple sclerosis can really make the difference and can put people at ease who might otherwise imagine the worse. People are fearful of what they do not understand. People may also have some preconceived notions about MS that you can put to rest. Give them as much information as you are comfortable imparting. Let them know what type of MS you have, what your symptoms are and how they may impact your work, or home life. Let them know what kinds of support are available in the medical community and in the community where you live. You can connect with MS organizations locally or online.

Most of what others know about MS will be preconceived ideas that are formulated by ignorance or lack of awareness and these ideas can be corrected by giving them the opportunity to be better informed.

It can be difficult to tell others about your diagnosis especially those close to you. It is especially difficult if you have not come to terms with the diagnosis. When you are ready to tell your family and friends, you need to be open as well as sensitive to the emotional impact the news may have on them, depending on your relationship with them. Make sure that you tailor the way to explain it based on the age of the individual (when telling kids). Sometimes waiting to tell others until you have had a chance to role-play doing so, in MS support groups can be beneficial. This way you can be prepared for the reactions you are likely to encounter and will be better prepared to handle the questions that are sure to come.

It is often difficult to talk about personal matters so you will find lots of support at MS support groups. You can learn techniques that will help you to express yourself as well as to learn how to educate others about the disease.

After you have told family and friends, then there may be others that you need to tell including employers, school etc. It is a personal decision regarding whom you tell. You should not be made to feel pressured to tell others until you are ready and until there is a need for others to know. Your health is a personal part of your life and should only be shared with those you feel comfortable telling and with those who need to know.

Individuals who know about your disease are better able to offer you support and services.

It is especially important to gather your family and friends around you when facing an illness because they can be your support system uplift you when you need it and share the unique experiences that you will encounter. Life throws all of us curve balls from time to time and family and friends are part of the team that makes the game of life enjoyable.