I Have MS But MS Doesn't Have Me

Hello, my name is Elliot Swart. I have dealt with chronic physical pain for years. In two thousand and five I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I was 23 years old.

I Had the opportunity to play football in college. The one thing that has always stopped me in my tracks in every single aspect in my life was chronic physical pain. In addition to dealing with physical pain I struggled with mental health issues. That caused me to use many types of mind altering chemicals. Pain killers were my D.O.C (drug of choice). I lost everything in my life, because I couldn't handle what I thought was something that was impossible to deal with.

Finding groups or someone to talk to I thought was impossible.

I was surprised to find there were groups or people that I could talk with; people who understood and showed me empathy not sympathy. They gave me hope, 

through talking. I talked with doctors, therapist, pastors at churches, friends, family, and employees and peers at treatment center after treatment center. 

We came up with a game plan.

When I wake up my plan consists of changing my attitude about life. That there is so much more that I need to do then just tell myself to try and be happy. The First thing to always remember is that you're not alone, also to remember that I have (MS) but (MS) doesn't have me. There's somebody somewhere that is dealing with the same thing that you are so there is always someone to talk to. Also by making a gratitude list of all the things that I have today. Like the ability to walk there are people who woke up and couldn't walk. I'm thankful That I'm 41 today. I didn't think that I would make it to age 27.

#thankful 

Talk to you soon,

Elliott Swart