Someone told me I have MS, but MS does not have me!
I have never publicly declared on this blog that I have an autoimmune condition but guess what? I do. I have Multiple Sclerosis, aka MS. I am a warrior woman- through and through- so I may have MS, but it certainly does not have me. Do I run around telling everyone? No, and quite frankly it is something I have struggled with- even admitting that I do in fact have a disability. Some people know I have MS, but many do not. I have been an athlete, dancer, group fitness instructor, and personal trainer for more than half of my life. I have been a physical person my entire life, and wrapping my head around the fact that I can’t do certain things as I used to, has been a serious drop kick to my spirit. But more recently I have come into a special place where I realize there is sooooo much that I can do. Yay! Why do I reveal such personal information? Many of my close friends have chastised me for not bringing this fact to the forefront. They say that I am hurting myself, and maybe other people who I could potentially help by telling my story. I reveal this information; not to ever have anyone feel sorry for me, but to let everyone in the world know this:
No matter what struggles we are faced with, whether we have MS, Cancer, Lupus, Parkinson’s…high cholesterol, high blood pressure, epilepsy…whatever: There is hope, there is so very much that we are capable of doing, and we are not alone! Those who know me well know that I will fight until my last breath. If I can do it, so can you! We are one people and we need to be there for one another.
I am also revealing this personal information to let everyone know that I have been able to manage my life beautifully with regular exercise, yoga, meditation, prayer, and proper nutrition. We all know that exercise and eating well will benefit us, right? While many people know this, many choose to turn away from this for a variety of reasons and excuses: I’m too busy, too tired, no time, and the list goes on and on. We have only one body, so it is our job to take the best care of it as we possibly can. We simply cannot afford to do otherwise. Not everyone experiences an autoimmune condition in the same way, and there are many levels of disability. Some folks are in wheelchairs, some have invisible symptoms, and do not look sick at all. I pretty much fall into this second category, but my tell tale Detroit- swag way of walking, is in fact due to a little nerve issue on my left side that plagues me intermittently. And yes, I sometimes trip, and no, it is not because I have had too much too drink. I get it. Some have very little disability, and are able to manage easily, while others may need a little more assistance.
I am a Master Instructor Trainer for a very cool exercise system called Drums Alive. It is quite remarkable in that research has shown that drumming enhances brain plasticity, and helps to build new neurological pathways. This is exactly what people like us need. It is so much fun; exhilarating, and anyone can do it- even people in wheel chairs. The fact that I am a musician, highly skilled experienced trainer, specializing in corrective exercise, and that I do in fact have a disability, makes me uniquely qualified to help other people who are like us. I know you may think that there is nothing that can be done for you if you have an autoimmune condition in the way of exercise, but you are very wrong. Besides, I love my work so very much, and know that this is exactly why God put me here: to help others. Yes, I can help you too!
So, that said, please reach out to me if you have ANY questions. I am a warrior woman- through and through- and if I can do this, so can you!
I post to my facebook page regularly so, please check me out there in addition to this site. www.facebook.com/fitenterprises
autoimmune disease, community, drumming, exercise, fun, healing, multiple sclerosis, sress reduction, wellness, wheelchair