Reflection on MS

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In order to learn more about multiple sclerosis (MS), I decided to read about someone's personal experience living with the condition. Meg Young, a 39 year old with MS, has a blog titled "Beyond my Battle". I decided to read her entry titled "Meg Young: Beyond My Personal Battle with Multiple Sclerosis". In her blog, Meg talks about MS and how it has impacted her life. 

I chose to read this source because I am interested in learning about people's personal experiences with MS. From my personal knowledge, as well as what I have learned in class about MS, I know that MS is very unpredictable. I also know that everyone's experience with MS is different. I find it interesting that each case of MS presents itself differently and effects different things. Although there are similar symptoms that people with MS experience, the disease progresses and presents itself uniquely to each individual. Reading Meg's story allowed me to see what her life is like living with MS. 

In her blog, Meg gave an overview of what MS is. She talked about how the common signs and symptoms of MS are problems with balance, numbness and tingling, problems with vision, problems with hearing, taste and speech, nerve pain, weakness, and spasms. She also emphasizes that the main issue that people with MS face is fatigue. In class, we have talked about how fatigue is one of the main barriers that interferes with a client's occupation. This is important to keep in mind. As an occupational therapist, the main focus for a client with MS is reducing challenges to enable participation in meaningful occupations. With fatigue being a main challenge, occupational therapists could work on energy conservation and task modifications to help enable the client to have enough energy to do the things they enjoy. 

In her blog, Meg goes into detail about her personal journey with MS, how MS impacts her life, and how she deals with the diagnosis mentally. I was really inspired reading her story. Although MS has had a huge impact on her life, her attitude is surprisingly positive. She explains how she tells herself "It's going to get better, it has to get better". Although she has days where she is down mentally, she continues to stay positive throughout her life. She emphasizes that her therapist really helped her mentally. Her therapist helped her understand what she can control and what she cant control. She decides the best way to stay positive is to not worry about what she cant control but instead focus on what she can control.  

I highly recommend this source for others as part of their learning process. This source not only explained what MS is in a way that is easy to understand, but it also allowed the reader to see the personal affects that MS has had on Meg. This source also allowed the reader to see the emotional impact that MS can have on someone. I think this aspect is often overlooked but so essential to understand. As an occupational therapist, it is important to address a clients mental health. Since occupational therapist look at the whole person, it important to include interventions to help a client emotionally. 

Here's the link if you want to check it out! 

https://www.beyondmybattle.org/blog/meg-young?gclid=CjwKCAjwu_mSBhAYEiwA5BBmf58J2T1auMX45YfqkWump16Zxbt3FtG_t9numIf7FunXWEb_12w9xRoC3qcQAvD_BwE


Young, M. (2021, March 11). Meg Young: Beyond my personal battle with multiple sclerosis. Beyond My Battle. https://www.beyondmybattle.org/blog/meg-young?gclid=CjwKCAjwu_mSBhAYEiwA5BBmf58J2T1auMX45YfqkWump16Zxbt3FtG_t9numIf7FunXWEb_12w9xRoC3qcQAvD_BwE 

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