Lessons from Wednesday: an Addams Family approach to thriving with MS
As long as I can remember, I’ve loved and resonated with Wednesday Addams. As an eight year old watching The Addams Family, I was captivated by her rebelliousness, razor-sharp wit, unapologetic non-conformity, and quiet strength.
Now, in my 40s, it’s Wednesday’s powerful stoicism and unmatched resilience that I aim to channel following my recent diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS.
My diagnosis journey
December 2024 began with eager plans. My family and I booked a long-awaited 2025 holiday to Kuala Lumpur, a city we'd long wished to visit. But just after Christmas, I began to feel stiffness on one side of my body, and walking became almost impossible.
A visit to a specialist neurology department in London and an MRI revealed lesions and inflammation in my brain and spine. I spent the next three days in hospital. At least I got to tick off watching London’s New Year fireworks live from my bucket list, even if it was from my hospital bed.
Of course, the news was shocking. I had barely heard of MS and knew very little about it. Nothing prepares you for news that instantly changes the life you thought you'd planned.
Adjusting to a new reality
I've always been a naturally pragmatic and practical person, so my first step was to spring into action: fitting the stairs with support aids, adapting my bathroom, and preparing for life on crutches. I cancelled upcoming events, reconsidered holidays, and braced myself for big changes.
When I looked at photos of Kuala Lumpur’s Batu Caves, I reassured myself it would be fine to sit at the base while my family climbed the 272 steps. At that point, I couldn’t imagine managing it myself.
In hindsight, I wish I’d allowed more time to process such life-altering news. What I’ve since learned is that an MS diagnosis isn’t the end of life: it can be a wake-up call to live it more fully.
Finding hope and focus
Like many, my first searches about MS online brought up stories of difficulty and struggle. But looking deeper, I discovered fitness influencers, Paralympians, and Guinness World Record holders all living remarkable lives with MS.
Alongside treatments and DMTs (disease-modifying therapies), I realised lifestyle matters enormously. Since my diagnosis in January 2025, I’ve prioritised exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction.
To be transparent, I was never athletic. PE was torture and exercise a chore. But as a person of Asian heritage, I’ve seen how sedentary lifestyles contribute to high rates of illness in our communities. My MS diagnosis forced me to adopt healthier habits, potentially preventing other conditions too.
Rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and steroid treatment helped, and soon I noticed vast improvements. Staying active, even on days with some pain, has proven to be one of the best tools for managing my symptoms.
There are still difficult days, spasticity, fatigue, brain fog. Those are the days it’s crucial to remind myself: WWWD? What Would Wednesday Do? Ignore others, listen to your body, and do what’s right for you.
Reaching new heights
By August 2025, it was time to board that plane to Kuala Lumpur. A 16-hour flight had its challenges, but airlines now provide valuable support for people with disabilities, something worth exploring if you’re travelling.
It was an incredible, much-needed holiday break, and I fell deeply in love with Kuala Lumpur, which will forever hold a special place in my heart.
But the absolute highlight of the trip was Batu Caves, a unique, spiritual, and awe-inspiring limestone complex of outstanding natural beauty, formed over 400 million years ago. Walking up 272 steps independently, something I wasn't sure I'd be capable of back in January, was both transcendent and exhilarating. At the top, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for a moment I once thought impossible.
Living with MS, the Wednesday way
Yes, MS reshapes your life, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do the things you love. It simply forces you to re-evaluate your priorities and how you respond to challenges.
There are still difficult days, spasticity, fatigue, brain fog. Sometimes I use a walking stick to ease the strain. Those are the days it’s crucial to remind myself: WWWD? What Would Wednesday Do? Ignore others, listen to your body, and do what’s right for you.
MS is now a part of my story, but it doesn't define me. Taking control of my attitude and mindset means I'm writing my own story, and it's a story I'm proud of.
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