While it’s an old story – based on a Persian king in the 5th century – published in 1557, The Three Princes of Serendip is an amusing fairytale which brings us the oft-overused word serendipity. Serendipity, according to the Oxford English Dictionary is, “the fact of something interesting or pleasant happening by chance”.
My interesting happening occurred on the morning of the 26th of October.
I walked into a small bread baker/café, new to my town, to collect a loaf of focaccia and down a café allongé (but I just call it a long espresso, so as not to sound like I’ve notions). And one thing led to another while I was talking to the proprietor on the rainy autumnal day and the topic of my MS came up.
We were talking about my upcoming trip to the US to record the audiobook version of my next publication. Questions were made about whether this was another in my Dinners cookery book series, and I explained that I was back in the world of MS with this one. Anyway… thirty minutes passed, her mother-in-law had joined the conversation, and I was off home with the dogs, trying to take advantage of a break in the rain.
As we made our way, it dawned on me that I had effectively just disclosed my MS to this woman. Disclosure being the topic of a webcast I was hosting on that very night – here’s a link for those of you interested.
We don’t just disclose our disease to people in the few months after we are diagnosed. It can be a lifelong experience. It may also be re-traumatizing if we’re not ready for it.
I don’t hide the fact (it’s pretty difficult to hide) as I’ve been writing and speaking about it for over two decades. I don’t live under the disease, I try to live with my MS. I couldn’t think of the last time I told anyone about the fact that I have multiple sclerosis and the fact that I was doing it on that day was notable for that evening’s topic.
I found our discussion with two professionals (one an employment law specialist and the other a psychotherapist) and two women living their best lives with MS, to be one of the best Unspeakable Bits webcasts that we have done – and we’re a year into them.
I learned much from our panel and the fact that I’d just disclosed that morning seemed important to share. We all have new experiences with MS every day. Some better than others but they are our experiences and they’re all part of living with MS. I hope that you find our latest program helpful.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers
Trevis
Sign up for the final Unspeakable Bits Webinar of the year on Thursday, 30th November at 8pm.
This special time of year can bring joy and light into our lives, but if MS is part of that life, it can also bring some unwelcomed aspects as well. From added financial pressures, to fatigue, stress, and fears of not measuring up to the world around us. Like many aspects of living well with MS, preparation can be key.
Register for free here: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_q-FZBnDoRzmL0gVuxT9krQ
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