By Holly (Cpearl)

One of the biggest things MS does is try to take away all our independence. But in being creative and finding other ways of doing things it gives some back to us.

Right from the start I had to stop working. The only real loss there was the income, for there were a variety of reasons I was glad to stay home. I was now on my husband's schedule of hours, did my chores as I felt up to it, enjoyed pursuing my interests that I could still do and our doggie was no longer left alone waiting for us.

On good days I could go out for awhile and enjoy nature with my dog or being with my husband on his days off. My time was my own after my husband went to work. In time I got my Social Security benefits so I was contributing to our income. This was being independent even though I was home A LOT.

As the years went by MS slowed me up more, and I was no longer comfortable going places alone, and I used to love to SHOP! Then I discovered catalogs and my favorite stores Online. Now I can go shopping right from my home. This is being very independent, and I am having fun too. Who says you can’t spend money if you stay home J

I had given up most of my hobbies because they were too hard to do anymore. But having a computer opened up a whole new world and a way of getting back to the things I liked doing and in an even better way. So I gained more independence to just sit at the computer and do my interests.

Some years back I got my own wheelchair. So when bad days are there or we are going somewhere with too much walking involved, I get to ride (ok my husband pushes the WC), works for me. So again this is being given some independence back.

The way my life is right now I truly don’t feel constricted even though by "other" people standards my independence is lacking. I do the best with what I have and MS certainly breeds creativity on many levels, thus gaining back MORE independence J