b'Life with MSI nDDeeddiiccaattiioonnttooLLyynnnnHHiillllInBy Zay Bell BrownIf I had to advise anyone of a general lifeIm the kind of guy whos got to go out in style lesson, I would tell them to listen to their bodies.so of all the ones I own, my favorite is my In my early 30s, I began experiencing suddensolid orange one.and extreme fatigue; in the morning, Id beWhile my improved mindset helped me see energized, but by noon, Id feel depleted. Otherthe brighter side of things, my solid support times, I could barely get out of the shower alone.system also played a role. My teenage daughter For the longest time, I was self-diagnosingstays on me about taking care of myself and rather than visiting a doctor, thinking maybemaking sure I bring one of my canes everywhere; I had sugar, or what we Southerners callshe has been doing this since before she became diabetes. I was in complete denial that anythinga teenager. If I forget, and shes with me, she was wrong until my symptoms persisted,gets at me, which is a reection of concern and nally, I broke down and was referred toand love. Some people come in to your life as a multiple sclerosis specialist. In hindsight, Ia result of your diagnosis while others leave. wish I had sought help sooner because, asMy ex-wife divorced me because of my MS. we know, the longer it takes to get an officialOccasionally, others would question why I diagnosis, the higher our chances of developingam always tired or at home without attempting more lesions. Ultimately, at 31 or 32, a neurologistto understand.told me I had MS and to maintain mobility, IThese types are not your people. Your people would need a cane. will bring encouragement and positivity. Overall, I was ashamed because I was barely pastI am a happy person, and though I look normal 30 and knowing some people twice my ageoutwardly, inside, I feel anything but ordinary. didnt require a walking device, it devastatedHowever, none of this stops me from living me. MS was not an illness we often heardthe life I want, and nor should it for anyone among the Black community, unlike heartelse living with MS. In addition to managing disease or cancer. I felt a little left out becausemy condition, I am a caregiver to my mother, of what I had and my age at the time. Im awho lives alone with CADASILa rare illness skinny man, but I stand 6 feet, 6 inches tall,that causes hereditary strokes. She stays a which is a long way down in the event of afewnightsaweekwithmeandthoughI fall, and Ive had a few. So, I humbled myselfcould use care of my own, it is a no-brainer and started using canes, and because of mythat I tend to my mother. This reality does not attitude change, I carry mine with swag now.affect my mood.msfocusmagazine.org 26'