Speaking up is so important for anyone going through a chronic illness like MS. Being a self-advocate while going through MS can be so challenging, as individuals going through MS are often misunderstood. This misunderstanding often stems from the invisible nature of MS. To further add to this issue, symptoms greatly vary among individuals. Many individuals face a lack of empathy from loved ones who cannot fully grasp and understand what these individuals are physically, mentally, and emotionally going through.

Being a self-advocate while living with MS can bring about a whole new perspective of this illness by instilling empowerment and awareness among MS individuals. Through your self-advocacy efforts, people around you can learn to be more sensitive and empathetic about your situation. Here are some strategies to effectively become a self-advocate for MS:

• Education is of pivotal importance for successful self-advocacy. Having awareness and understanding about the disease will help you to advocate for yourself and your needs at home, workplaces, medical appointments, and social gatherings.
• MS can affect cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, concentration, and attention. These changes can create challenges when attending medical appointments. For example, some individuals may have difficulty remembering their symptoms or may struggle to clearly express what they are experiencing. The  My MS Manager™ Mobile App | MSAA from MSAA can help by providing a place to record symptoms and track disease activity over time. Bringing this information to appointments can support more informed and productive conversations with your healthcare providers. Open and honest communication with your care team is essential. Sharing accurate information about your symptoms and experiences helps your provider give you the right guidance and they can support you in making decisions to manage your MS in partnership with them.
• Support groups are safe spaces where individuals with MS can connect with each other and understand the challenges of living with MS. By having a common platform to relate and share experiences, these individuals can inspire advocacy and make their voices known in the MS community.

Besides facing relentless challenges in their daily lives related to the health issues arising from MS, individuals with MS often battle self-doubt and a turbulence of uncertainties. Despite all these harsh realities, these individuals are resilient and have a brave spirit to face adversities that arise because of their condition. Let us all cheer these warriors on as they journey through MS and make them stronger with the power of community, connection, and compassion.