Taking ownership of Multiple Sclerosis

"Life is not a matter of being dealt a good hand but more so the ability to play a poor hand well."

It is fourteen years since my Neurologist confirmed my diagnoses of multiple sclerosis. I had no comprehension how two letters (MS) would go on to change my life.

I learned quickly that MS has many faces. Symptoms vary from one person to the next and the condition is more prevalent in females. Whilst a cure is the ultimate attainment, management of the condition and practical strategies for maintaining a reasonable quality of life was paramount to me.

The Good News: Today unlike fourteen years ago when I was diagnosed there was basically no treatment available that could modify the severity of relapses or the frequency of the relapses. Neurologist's today have a number of treatment options and many of these treatments have proven to modify the process of MS. Simply these treatments can quite literally mean the difference between a mother picking up her two year old child or a father's ability to kick the footy with his son in the back yard, or not. Moreover this advancement means most people can remain in the workforce allowing for a more independent financial future for them and their family.

My Story

In the late 1990's treatment available proved ineffective for me. Fortunately this changed in the final days of the millennium when I was encouraged by my neurologist to consider a change in my first line of treatment. I hesitated knowing the arduous efforts I had gone through already but with his persuasion and my desperation for my life to return I did make the switch. Prior to this treatment in 2000, I was in and out of hospital approximately every three months and never hospitalised for any less than four weeks at a time. This would normally be followed by months of rehabilitation; even the simplest of tasks needed to be re-learnt. The emotional stress not to mention the physical effort to re-learn things like how to walk again, writing and little things I took for granted like doing up the buttons on my shirt or lacing up my shoes was enormous. I even had to get modifications made to my car which required handing in my current drivers licence and driving for six weeks on L plates before sitting a driving test to demonstrate I could manage with the hand controls. Surprisingly this task was the easiest of all to learn.

I was fortunate enough in the early years of diagnosis to continue a relatively normal lifestyle however after about four years, relapses became a frequent event landing me in hospital almost every three to four months, and effectively bringing my life to almost a standstill. Trying to maintain a normal life with six years of all too frequent admissions to hospital, followed by months of rehabilitation was starting to take its toll on me. My corporate life and any possible advancement I had ceased and with that I lost my marriage, my financial independence and most of all my hope.

“Healthy Attitude and Advanced Therapeutic Treatments”

It is now six years since I embarked on what I call a synergistic approach. The most unknown, unused and unrecognised tool of the human mind is the recognition that our attitude is always a choice. Adopt a healthy attitude and couple this with today’s advanced treatment options and your future can be almost “normal”, whatever normal is for you.

Metamorphous

For the past six years I have not experienced any relapse resulting in hospitalisation. I most definitely do still have symptoms of MS as it is a degenerative condition. However before this development my life didn’t look very promising. Frankly I would not have wanted to continue on living in such a way. In my case the combination of attitude and appropriate treatment has changed my life. I fervently believe one without the other will not work as effectively.

Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is a tough blow. It’s not fair but then again life is not always fair, it’s just how it is. Adopt a healthy attitude and by that I mean focus on what you have, what you can do and don’t give valuable energy to thoughts that you have no control over. Focus your energy on those things you do have control over. Your happiness will be enhanced when you start to apply a healthy attitude.

My Life Today

No hospitalisation since February 2000

I have developed a successful career as a professional speaker, author and corporate coach/mentor, working with some of Australia’s leading corporations

Travel is no longer such an issue, although it still remains a challenge

HIGHLIGHT, In August of 2001, I remarried to a wonderful lady Samantha. Sammi and our son Owen - oh I can’t forget our little dog Joey - have completed the final pieces in the Mark Horton jigsaw

Useful tips for dealing with Multiple Sclerosis

1. Accept that MS is going to be a lifelong challenge

2. Start each day with purpose and passion

3. Always have a plan for the day no matter how significant

4. Adopt a healthy attitude and focus on what you can do

5. Develop a good relationship with a GP you feel comfortable with - over time this relationship will be invaluable

6. Make contact with your local MS Society. They provide a holistic service that at some stage will be of benefit

7. If you are working make sure that your superannuation policy is comprehensive and would cover you for permanent and total disability if in the event that you need to call on it. It is unlikely you will need to call on this but it will give you peace of mine knowing where you stand

8. Talk to a social worker at the MS Society about who and if, or when you should notify your work place

9. If you are looking to change jobs be sure to understand what you need to disclose and how you would be covered in the event of TPD claim

10. Go to your neurologist and GP for your medical support and consultation, however try to be mindful of the emotional overload that can sometimes easily be put on loved ones. The MS Societies have trained people who deal with the emotional side of MS. They can help you a great deal in this area and will share strategies for how best to deal with emotion/depression

11. You will have days where you will feel overwhelmed by your feelings of total disappointment. This is normal and I encourage you to make a moment to acknowledge your feelings. Try and mentally put them to the side until tomorrow and make the best of your day. Having a cry in the shower has become my moment to acknowledging my feelings of disappointment. As soon as I am dressed for the day I focus on what I can do

12. If these moments of depression become too frequent and too overwhelming you should seek out professional support. Again the MS Society will be a valuable resource

13. Make fun times for family and friends; don’t let MS become centre stage in your life. It is a significant element there is no question of that however there are many other things in life we sometimes have to remind ourselves of

14. Finally, I find that making quite time just to sit alone and centre myself very powerful. You may even find meditation or yoga helpful