By Doug Ankerman

They go together like milk and cookies, peas and carrots, Forrest Gump and Jenny.

Emotional and physical wellness go together like shoes and socks (or socks and sandals on middle aged males).

You can’t have one without the other.

But how so? Aren’t they two different things, some may ask?

I used to think emotional and physical wellness were totally different. That is until my multiple sclerosis began to progress.

As my physical skills deteriorated so did my emotions. Likewise, as my emotions dipped, physically I wasn’t far behind.

It was/is a tandem roller coaster of ups and downs.

The difficulty comes with keeping the two in check.

Being unpredictable, MS messes with our physical wellness day to day, even hour to hour. I fight these challenges with a gaggle of mobility devices that make Inspector Gadget envious. Plus, a roomful of exercise stuff helps me stave off weakness, spasticity and balance issues.

But it is the emotional aspect of MS that affects me most.

There is no AFO I can strap to my head to help me think better. No wheelchair to help me weave my way through the negativity.

I do my best to stay in check with a daily pill. I have tried counseling and attend a monthly support group. Collectively it all helps to keep the dark clouds from circling.

Physical wellness also steps in to assist picking up emotion’s loose ends. Like an MS buddy system, it works the other way around too, emotional wellness supporting your physical side.

Emotional and physical wellness. They go together like cheese and crackers, spaghetti and meatballs, Batman and Robin (minus the tights).

Find the combination that helps you manage both. You can do it.

*Doug pokes fun at MS and other stuff on his humor website at myoddsock.com.