MS brings so much uncertainty, worry and grief, we can’t ignore that side. However, alongside these challenges so many of us speak of something else; new friendships, a more intentional way of living, greater clarity and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our strength. This strength doesn’t always show up loudly, sometimes it shows up as a whisper in a hospital waiting room, in choosing to rest without guilt or in learning to ask for help.
So this year for International Women’s Day we’ve asked some of our bloggers to reflect on their lives with MS, how it’s helped them to live more intentionally, and what brings them joy and strength.
Suzanne Ryder
My comfortable reclining chair is a great viewing place for my increasingly confined world. The slowing pace, a gift from MS, helps me ponder the beauty of a simple window box. It holds some valiant daffodils that have survived my neglect and, now, the incessant winds. I returned home after four days away, expecting them to be battered and blown, or at least showing some sign of losing their eternally hopeful colour. However, their dance continues to cheer. Thoughts came to me this morning of how long they would survive, alongside wondering of what I might do with the box when they give way to a life beyond spring. And then, I caught myself! The moment, self-revealed calling me to admire their joyful presence in the now. Today, they are beautiful; tomorrow can take care of itself!
Willike Van Eckhoutte
As women living with MS, we were faced with a harsh reality: women are two to three times more likely than men to experience relapsing-remitting MS. However, that's not necessarily dire. If anything - and tongue-in-cheek - haven't we labeled ourselves as the stronger sex in the past?
After 20 years of navigating MS's winding paths, I’ve learned to listen to my inner voice and focus on what keeps me out of the hospital. When I contracted the hospital-acquired superbug, 'C. Difficile' three years later, I wasn't done living yet, especially since I had only moved to Ireland seven years earlier and wasn’t done experiencing Ireland in every way possible - nor am I yet.
Clearly, I needed to develop brutal physical, mental, and emotional strength if this was what MS had in store for me. A Buddhist teacher encouraged me to be kinder to myself, teaching me the importance of self-care, something I previously saw as egocentric, as I've always prioritised caring for others first. Learning to accept this new normal required more self-determination, and self-honesty was tough but necessary, even if that meant letting go of what stood in the way of physical, mental, and emotional growth.
Over the years, living with MS has become a journey of facing hard truths, fears, and accepting that MS is here to stay, yet life is still meaningful. Daring to dream boldly, despite excruciating trigeminal neuralgia attacks and other symptoms, is vital. Being strong isn’t just an option; it's a core part of your psyche that drives you forward in moments of need.
After all, if you don't know what fear is, you don't know how to be courageous.
Róisín Bradley
MS changes the pace of your life and sometimes that shift, while difficult, invites a more intentional way of living. Here are some ways MS has helped me to live more intentionally.
1. Listening to your body: MS doesn’t let you ignore fatigue, stress, or being overwhelmed. You learn to plan your energy carefully and rest without guilt. You notice small signals before they become big setbacks. That awareness builds a deeper connection with yourself.
2. Choosing what really matters: When energy is limited, you naturally prioritise the people who nourish you, work that feels meaningful and activities that bring real joy.
3. Redefining strength: Strength isn’t pushing through everything, it shows up in cancelling plans to protect tomorrow or in asking for help or using aids and adaptations.
4. Advocating for yourself and others: Many women with MS become strong advocates, campaigning for better healthcare access, workplace flexibility and invisible illness awareness.
5. Finding gratitude in the ordinary: When symptoms fluctuate, “ordinary” days feel extraordinary. A steady walk, clear thinking or a low-fatigue afternoon can become something to celebrate.
Hannah Morris
Compassion is where my strength shows up. It’s not something I’ve really had to think about before; towards others and least of all towards myself. It’s something I’ve had to learn in my journey with MS. It’s OK to slow down. It’s OK to do less. It’s OK to say no. It’s OK! You don’t have to give an excuse. You don’t have to explain. You don’t even have to apologise. I have lived with more contentment in my life since I started treating myself with compassion. Sure, you’d think I’d get less done if I slowed down and did less, but I can honestly say that’s not true. I now take less steps, but the steps I take are more meaningful and don’t potentially lead to days of burnout. I take each day as it comes. And guess what? That’s OK! I’m happy. I’m content and I’m living my best life. And that’s more than OK.
Shirley Keane
I’m reflecting on how living with MS has empowered me as a woman. While MS has challenged me, it has never taken my sparkle. I style up my walking aids, coordinate them with my outfits, and remain unapologetically glamorous. Disability and lipstick are not mutually exclusive.
I’ve educated myself about MS symptoms and how they overlap with perimenopause, so I can respond with kindness instead of criticism on the hard days. I’ve kept my strong-woman nature, but I’ve learned that true strength also includes vulnerability and asking for support. When my marriage broke down, it was heartbreaking, but it also reshaped me. I surround myself with strong, like-minded women who lift each other higher. Now, at 47, I’m embarking on a new business supporting women in business. MS didn’t stop me, it refined me.
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