Living with a chronic illness like MS means embracing unpredictability—something that can feel as frustrating as it is humbling. One day, I might be walking without any support, and later that same day, I might be relying on my cane or even a wheelchair. That contrast can be jarring, not just for others watching from the outside, but for me too.
I’ll be honest: I’ve had to do a lot of internal work around using mobility aids. I currently have a love-hate relationship with my cane and walker. I love that they give me freedom, that they allow me to keep doing the things I love and showing up in life. But it also took time—and a big shift in mindset—to move past the feeling that needing them meant I had somehow failed.
It’s tough to reconcile the image of yourself you used to carry with the reality of needing help. I was in my thirties when I first needed assistance walking. That wasn’t part of the plan. It wasn’t what I imagined my life looking like. And when kids would ask me things like, “Are you a grandma?”—not out of malice, but curiosity—it stung. (And side note to parents: gently correcting those comments matters. - But that’s another post for another day.)
This one is about pride. About how I had to set it aside in order to live well and fully. It’s about asking for help—not because I’m weak, but because I’m strong enough to know my limits and take care of myself.
It’s about humility. It’s about grace.
Because living with MS means acknowledging what my body needs from moment to moment, without shame. And part of that journey has been learning that using a cane, or walker, or wheelchair isn’t giving up—it’s choosing to keep going. It’s refusing to miss out on life.
So if you see me walking well one moment and in a chair the next, just know: I’m doing what I need to do to keep showing up. And maybe that’s the bravest thing any of us can do.
Your Turn:
Have you ever had to shift your mindset around asking for help or using a tool (mobility aid or otherwise) to support your health or independence? I’d love to hear your story. Let’s open up this conversation and help normalize support—whatever it looks like. Drop a comment or share your experience below.
Repeat these positive affirmations to yourself...
* I am resilient and can overcome life's challenges.
* I am strong and have the power to make the right choices for me.
* I am grateful for what I can do.
Creating Your Tribe: The Power of Supportive Connections
We aren’t meant to do life alone. In our hardest moments, in our victories, and in the quiet in-between, having the right people around us makes all the difference. Your tribe—the ones who lift you up, encourage you, remind you of your strength, and pray for you—are essential. They don’t just show up for the big moments; they’re there in the everyday. They listen, they support, and they have your back.
But what if you feel like you don’t have that kind of support? What if you feel isolated, unsure of where to turn?
I know that feeling all too well. When I was first diagnosed with MS, my entire world changed. I went from a busy, rising career to suddenly not being able to drive, work, or even socialize the way I used to. It was one of the loneliest times of my life. But little by little, I started building my support system.
At first, it was my husband and kids, who adopted a we’re in this together attitude. We learned to laugh through the crazy symptoms and even crazier reactions from others. (My high school-aged daughter made me a shirt that read “I am not drunk or high” on the front and “I have MS” on the back to squash the rumors flying due to my difficulty with balance issues!)
Then there was my mom, who stood by me at every doctor’s appointment and supported me when I needed to ditch my first doctor for one who actually listened. There was a church member—someone I didn’t even know well at the time—who also had MS. She and her husband became treasured friends, and I learned so much just by watching how they supported and fought this battle together.
And then there was a stranger—someone I never even met in person—who changed my life. We connected through an MS support group, and she shared her expertise in training service dogs. She walked me through the entire two-year journey of training Lilly (only the best service dog ever—although I might be a little biased!).
My tribe kept growing: new doctors who listened when I turned to complementary alternative medicine, friends who understood, and countless others who showed up along the way. (I truly treasure and appreciate you all so much!)
Looking back, I realize that my tribe didn’t form overnight. It came together one person at a time, often when I least expected it. And that’s the thing about finding your people—you don’t have to search for a huge community all at once. You start with one connection, then another, and slowly, your support system grows.
Your Tribe is Out There—Keep Looking
If you feel alone right now, I want you to know that your tribe is out there. Maybe they are already around you, waiting for you to recognize them. Maybe they will show up in an unexpected place, just when you need them most. Or maybe they are still waiting to meet you.
The best way to start? Be that person for someone else. Listen. Encourage. Show up. The more you offer kindness and support, the more you’ll attract people who do the same.
I’d love to hear from you—do you have a strong tribe, or are you still searching? What’s one quality you look for in a true friend or supporter? Share in the comments—I’d love to encourage and support you on your journey!
Repeat these positive affirmations to yourself...
* I am resilient and can overcome life's challenges.
* I am strong and have the power to make the right choices for me.
* I am grateful for what I can do.
Let Them...
I have gone through many seasons in my life.
I have known both great happiness and deep, gut-wrenching sorrow.
I have enjoyed the finer things and have had to count every penny.
I have known unwavering loyalty and support, and I have experienced unthinkable betrayal.
I have been praised and misunderstood.
And through it all, I've learned this: You can't control what others do or say.
.But in the end, all that truly matters are the things within my control:
— How I treat people
— How I react
— Who I choose to become
I can’t control what others do or feel (and I’ve come to learn it often has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with the unresolved pieces of their own story).
⸻
This Is Just a Gentle Reminder…
Let them.
Let them think what they think.
Let them say what they say.
Let them be who they are.
And while you do, free yourself to live fully, love deeply, and grow into the person God created you to be—on purpose, with purpose.
The world needs that version of you!
Repeat these positive affirmations to yourself...
* I am resilient and can overcome life's challenges.
* I am strong and have the power to make the right choices for me.
* I am grateful for what I can do.
