Perception 1: Perspective

Perception 1:  Perspective

Each of us is an individual with our own perspective.  What this means is that as we go through life everything we come into contact with is processed by our body and then our nervous system and then sent to our brain in the form of bioelectric signals/messages.

In this part of my discussion I will only be talking of our life in its physical aspects.  The reason I mention this is so that my mind stays away from the philosophical arguments.

In understanding MS and other neurological disorders it is important to start with the human condition.  In other words we are each individuals with our own perspective.  Why this is important to remember is that MS can and does effect how we perceive.

Each of our unique perspectives is by nature personal.  Why I mention this is that most of us with MS have spent our lives perceiving the world and ourselves while receiving these bioelectric signals in a normal manner.  We became comfortable and dependant on these signals reaching our brain without anything unordinary happening.

Once the MS disorder begins to show up and these signals no longer arrive without disruption.  Our lives have changed and we have to start to adjust.  While at first we have no clue, the process of discovery begins.  We might, for a while, simply perceive the change as a change of moods or basic everyday depression.

As time goes by we start to notice more going on.  We still dismiss these changes as being normal because the changes are still subtle enough to be considered normal.  But, we start to notice some confusing feelings in our body.

This can be especially difficult phase because one does not know what the cause might be.  Many with MS are initially seen as being neurotic or even a bit psychotic.  We find ourselves telling our loved ones or doctor some of our complaints.  Even the most stoic of us at some point has to express something is wrong.  We are then labeled complainers by ourselves and/or others.

Strange things start occurring.  It might be that you keep thinking you are being stabbed; it might be that your arm jerks away from your body; it might be your hands start to jitter like someone with Parkinson’s; you might start feeling pain and assume you over did it or that you might have arthritis; you might have parts of your body going numb; or it might be that you fatigue easily or find it difficult to concentrate.  And “damn it” nobody wants to listen and you are embarrassed to mention it any way.

The next phase of the disorder hits us hard because with this change there is always something of ourselves we have noticeably lost.  Some ability or talent is completely lost or at least compromised.  The extreme pain in your extremities becomes unbearable; you have lost most or all the vision in one of your eyes; you cannot move one or both of your legs; or there could be any number of severe problems.

Now the most import aspect of perspective begins, learning to deal with the disorder.  There are now many aspect of perception to deal with.  Society in general, friends, loved one’s, and one’s own self image are all matters of perception with which we must deal.

[spastic]

You never cease to amaze me!  I love your fluent writing and your style. I hope you are going to write a book, it would be a best seller. Looking forward to reading more.

Your Avid Reader,

Ada

[Heather3418]

McC here....this is so informative and a pleasue to read.  It really does explain EXACTLY the stages of this disease.  Perfectly.  Keep 'em coming.  I am really enjoying your writings.

Bet Wishes and Have a GREAT DAY,
Heather McC

[MCBCON]

There is so much information to be added to this.  And no I am not a writer or I would have been to embarressed to post these.  My 13 year old son is a far better writer.

[MCBCON]

Thanks for your support of my attempts at verbal therapy.

[Heather3418]

Well your son must get his writing ability from his daddy, because you are one good writer....a pleasure to read and stay interested.  That's important to the reader...

Heather

[MCBCON]

Thanks for your support on my attempts at verbal therapy.

[MCBCON]

Acutally his talents come from his mother.  She is a real writer.  Some of her knowledge has fallen my way from being near her all these years.

[spastic]

  I would seriously consider writing a book on this he** world we have to deal with. You have great talent that definately could get published. I do poetry and have a poem about this demon within. I have to admit it is very raw. You my friend write with a way that takes my breath away.

Hats off to You,

Ada

[grannyhotwheels]

Thank you so much for your wonderful words of wisdom.  It was a privilege to read, and I can't wait for the next one.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[MCBCON]

do share your poetry.