The 3rd Wednesday of every May is marked as World Multiple Sclerosis Day. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of central nervous system which affects the brain and spinal cord and leaves the person completely disabled. Having been affected for 10 years and counting, I can tell you that it is a very devastating, disgusting and debilitating disease. It affects everything; vision, speech, balance, motor skills, bladder, bowel, walking, gait, memory, co-ordination, cognition and much more. The beauty of this disease is that the symptoms are mostly invisible to others. I have lost four of my friends to MS this year. Maybe, death is less painful.
With limited mobility, I decided to give life one more chance as there was nothing to lose. I wanted to feel useful and worthy, accepted for my insecurities, shortcomings and vulnerability. I wanted to put my time to good use and not be treated as a burden. It was hard as I had to alter my diet, water intake and sleeping pattern. I had to choose foods which substitute as medicines. I made pranayama, meditation and exercises, an integral part of my lifestyle. Learning to ignore criticisms and accept feedback proactively helped immensely. I took to spirituality to balance my emotions and chose to not yield to temptation of any sort. And then the transformation happened. I received several awards and recognition as a disability rights activist, singer, beauty pageant, a photographer and am appreciated as a good wife and a mother.
There are times I slip into a depression, no matter how much I try not to. Living a life of constant physical pain is not what someone wishes for. I feel like putting an end to all the suffering. However, when I see my ever-supporting family and friends who have stood by me at the most trying times and the many lives I have been able to transform through my smile, it gives me an impetus to transform a few more. I do whatever it takes to realize the purpose of my life, living by example.
Know more about Swarnlatha
Miles to go beyond my Multiple Sclerosis
Finding grace when breath becomes burdensome
