Readers got specific about the
challenges they faced with symptoms. Fatigue, mobility issues
and vertigo were frequently
cited as concerns when dealing with active young children.
Some worried that they could
drop their baby if they lost their
balance. Others said cognitive
issues made juggling busy schedules a challenge.
Despite these often formida-
ble realities, many people wrote
that a support network made a
big difference. “Try living near
people who can help. It takes
a village to raise a child, but it
takes an entire city to take care
of a family with MS!”
Many readers advised build-
ADVERTISEMENT
ing a network before having
children, including having frank
talks with partners. “We dis-
cussed worst-case scenarios and
how we would both reach out
for resources and assistance.”
“Find back-up for the parent
who does not have MS. My
husband says he sometimes feels
like a single parent when I have
a flare-up. We are working to
relieve the stress on him.”
As for single parents, they
emphasized the importance of
accepting help. “In my need for
independence, I turned down so
much help, and that affected my
health as well as my ability to be
a quality parent.”
Kids themselves can be a
You can
be there for her.
Even if you can’t be there with her.
CaringBridge helps connect people during a
significant health challenge. Patients and
families can easily create a free website to
share the experience, save time and
energy, and receive support.
To create your own website
that gives recognition to the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, visit
www.CaringBridge.org/NationalMSSociety
source of support. “I allowed my
children to voice how they felt
and share ideas that would help
us through challenges.”
“I just happen to have the
best son in the world. I really
don’t worry about having MS
and facing parenting challenges
with him.”
“My daughter is now my big-
gest advocate.”
“My children are my inspira-
tion to stay as healthy as possible.”
“I may not have raised the
family I thought I would raise,
but I raised the family I was sup-
posed to raise.”
Marcella Durand is an associate editor
of Momentum.
