By Samuel Fitch
I wouldn’t consider myself a very creative person. But when I think back to my childhood, I remember being endlessly creative. I would make things out of cardboard, draw pictures for hours, and feel completely alive in that process. Back then, I truly believed I had a knack for art.
As I grew older, though, that creative spark seemed to fade. Life, responsibilities, and practicality took its place. Yet, I’ve realized creativity doesn’t disappear; it just changes form. For me, that form became journaling.
Journaling allows me to communicate what’s really going on inside. Sometimes it’s a structured reflection, but often it’s simply a brain dump, a raw outpouring of everything in my head onto the page. With MS, my handwriting isn’t what it used to be, so I’ve adapted. I use a headset and microphone to dictate my thoughts, letting my words flow freely. What ends up on the screen isn’t polished, but it’s honest. And that honesty is incredibly therapeutic.
Being creative with words isn’t so different from drawing or building something by hand. Words can build images in the mind, paintings made of language. If you’ve ever read a book and then watched the movie adaptation, you know what I mean. The version you pictured in your imagination rarely matches what ends up on the screen. That’s the power of the mind’s eye, the personal lens through which creativity flows.
For me, journaling has become a way to stay connected to that inner artist I thought I’d lost. It’s not about being “good at writing.” It’s about expressing truth, processing thoughts, and capturing moments of life that might otherwise slip away. It reminds me that creativity isn’t limited to art or music; it’s in how we adapt, communicate, and make meaning out of the life we’re living right now.
And even with MS, or maybe because of it, I’ve learned that creativity isn’t about perfect ability. It’s about expression, persistence, and finding beauty in the process.
About Sam:
Sam Fitch is a financial advisor based in Jamestown, New York, where he helps individuals and families build stronger financial futures through planning focused on cash flow, protection, and long-term goals. Before entering financial services, he spent 25 years working in his family’s restaurant business, which helped shape his strong connection to community and service.
Sam also lives with multiple sclerosis and is passionate about supporting others navigating similar challenges. Through his writing and advocacy work, he hopes to encourage people living with MS to pursue strength, resilience, and a meaningful life despite the obstacles the disease can bring. He is a husband, father of four, and active supporter of the MS community.