MS Letters: To Yinka, my fearless younger self

Life dealt a big blow to you with this diagnosis. You’re dealing with pain and spasticity, and you’re finding it harder to walk.

Alongside managing your MS diagnosis, you’re navigating becoming a mother and accepting your son’s autism. I know you’re worried about the future. You feel life has ground to a halt. I’m writing to soothe your fears.

Faith and family

First, I want to commend you for your courage. Even in your storms, you wear a smile.

Your strong faith in God keeps your hope alive. You will always say, “remember Yinka, this diagnosis didn’t catch God by surprise. He will carry you through every challenge it brings.” And even when you can’t find the words to pray, you have your praying community around you.

Well done for keeping hope alive with family and friends. I must assure you, the future is not so bleak. There’s light at the end of this dark tunnel. Your feeling of hopelessness will reduce, and you will have a better outlook on life.

Letting go of guilt

Let’s address your fear of dying early. Your diagnosis is not a death sentence, and you will still live a long and fulfilling life despite your challenges. And please, let go of the guilt you carry. Neither your MS nor your son’s autism were your fault. They are simply parts of your story.

New treatments are coming

Thanks to research done in the past, you’ll start treatment. You’ll be nervous about the injections, but don’t worry - advances in research will bring treatments that are easier to take. And even EpiPen-like injectors that keep the needle hidden. These new drugs will help slow down the progression of your MS.

The drugs will completely transform your life as the spasticity and pain ease. And guess what? Your mobility will also greatly improve! You’ll still need to use a walking stick on your bad days, but your symptoms only tend to bother you in the evening.

You’ll never be alone

I know you worry about being alone if your symptoms worsen. Let me assure you, you’ll never be alone. Some amazing people are coming into your life.

Your family and friends will be a huge strength for you. And every time you relapse, it will feel as if they all relapse with you, always making sure you don’t sink into a dark place.

You can sleep easily. Your future is secure and happy. You will never lack help. And your moment of change and transformation will come when you start taking things one day at a time.

Another door opens

Heads up, however, you’ll take ill-health retirement, and although one career is ending, another one begins. You’ll go through another season of worry, but take heart. You’ll become an eight-time Amazon International bestselling author! You’ll find joy in encouraging parents of children with special educational needs and people living with lifelong conditions like MS.

All the parts of your life’s puzzle will eventually fall into place.

The right support makes all the difference

You’ll have a fantastic relationship with your neurologists managing your MS and treatment. And your MS nurse will be a great source of strength to you. Every appointment will renew your hope.

You’ll also have a continence nurse, physiotherapists, and orthotics to help you manage your symptoms. With their help, you’ll become more physically active, and you’ll even start learning to swim! Overtime, you’ll start to see improvements in your mobility and your state of mind.

And I know you’ll be amazed to find that you’ll have strong support from the MS support group. Before diagnosis, you hadn’t heard of MS, and the idea of meeting others with it worried you. But seeing people at every stage of the condition won’t scare you – it will strengthen you.

MS will not have the last say.

You’ll start Pilates with your fellow MSers and develop a deep connection with them. They’ll become like family to you. And they’ll become the first people you turn to when new symptoms appear, because they truly understand.

MS research brings hope

The progress in MS research over the next decade will be mind blowing. There are even more new drugs on the horizon.

Be strong, Yinka - I know that’s a little ironic given the weakness we experience with MS – but keep that positive spirit alive. You’ll join in fundraising activities and share your story with others. You’ll write blogs for the MS Society, and other people with MS will draw strength from your story.

Remember: your MS community will always have your back. Listen to your body. Rest when you need rest.

You’ve got this, Yinka. I am super proud of you.

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Yinka's MS letter