Meet Birgit
Diagnosed in: 2003
What makes me strong: I find my strength in everyone around me, especially family, friends and coworkers. I know each of us has our own struggles, big or little, that we have to get through. I look to my mom often and am so blessed that I have her here to help me fight this battle and to push me to WIN my race.
I enjoy being a woman because: I enjoy being a woman because of the bond that I feel with other women, especially other women with this disease. Most importantly, I enjoy being a woman because I am a MOTHER to a wonderful son and a DAUGHTER to an amazing woman. I am truly blessed.
What my joys in life are: Currently I am finding joy in finding NEW joys. I loved to play sports and rollerblade and bike around the lakes, but I have changed my involvement in sports. Now I cheer, coach and am the treasurer of my softball league. I have changed the way I rollerblade to include “walking poles” for balance and slowing down the speed that I bike. And of course, the joys of parenting which is becoming an eye opening experience, both the struggles and the joys.
What my fears are: My biggest fear is that someone will have to take care of me. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone. I believe that I have come to an okay place with what might come my way in the future with this disease, but my motto has become “stay in the here and now AND ENJOY the here and now. No future-tripping.”
What makes me unique: I have always been on the unique side I am that wild flower growing on the side of the road. Okay, maybe not that wild, but I am unique in many ways all of which define me as Birgit I am just as unique as my name is unique.
MS has taught me: MS has taught me to slow down, enjoy the little things and count your blessings because you never know what is coming your way, so live life to the fullest every day! Life is good! It has reaffirmed for me that every person should always be treated with courtesy and respect and to never, ever make assumptions about anyone because you have no idea what that person is dealing with in his/her life.
One piece of advice that I would give to someone newly diagnosed with MS is: My advice would be to find a good doctor that you trust, a good support group and stay in the here and now. I would also mention, knowledge is power.