I'm thankful that I started my blog over ten years ago, but at first, I hesitated to be open and vulnerable. I worried about readers' reactions and whether they'd like my content. The anxiety was intense whenever I published a post.

Blogging was in its infancy, and I was trying to understand my audience.

Since then, I have gained a lot of knowledge about the MS and chronic illness community, and fortunately, I have found out that my stories bring hope and strength to many people. I say this with great humility. When my posts touch someone's heart and resonate with them, I feel my mission is accomplished!

March is MS Awareness Month, and a few years ago, I wrote about why I'm thankful for my diagnosis. Please don't turn away!

Some readers criticized me for not giving enough attention to MS's struggles. I want to clarify that it was never my intention to downplay the challenges that come with the disease. Instead, I was trying to convey that my diagnosis gave me a purpose and allowed me to meet incredibly strong and compassionate people. In a strange way, I felt like I was meant to be a health advocate, which gave me a sense of belonging.

I'm not promoting toxic positivity but striving to find the bright side of life's difficulties. MS can hit us hard and leave us feeling defeated. It can be more than a challenging taskmaster.

For those reasons and for our mental well-being, don't you think we should search for any silver linings we can? 

Can you think of any reasons that help you feel thankful despite inevitable challenges?

If I were never diagnosed, I never would have:'

• Become mindful, at such a young age, of the fragility of life and the importance of telling those you love how you feel about them. Know the value of a single day.
• I had the opportunity to meet countless people from the medical community who work tirelessly for better patient care and research for MS.
• I'm honored to work for many MS and health-related companies and websites, including MultipleSclerosis.net, where I've worked for ten years. They put patients first and see contributors and moderators as valued partners with essential opinions.
• I learned more about human nature and how accepting people for who they are is healthier than how you wish them to be.
• I felt (and feel) the blessings, light, and love of dear friends who have my back even on my darkest days. They are my heroes and sisters. I hope they know how much they mean to me and that I have their backs, too.
• I'm blessed to hear stories from readers about their unique journeys. I'm honored to know their courage, and I hope my heartfelt words gave them comfort and peace.
• I always feel the unconditional love and support of my husband and son. If I were never diagnosed, their unwavering love would still exist because that's who they are. Their inner strength has been tested with each MS exacerbation because my struggles are also theirs. They rise to the challenge without question every single day. I'm endlessly grateful to have them in my corner.
• Lastly, THANK YOU for reading my blog and being with me in this space. It's a privilege to hear your stories and a pleasure to know you. I'm grateful to be a small part of your life.

Here's a sweet and informational video created by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, which is committed to making a difference in the lives of people with MS.

About Multiple Sclerosis

"Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. MS damages or destroys the protective covering (known as myelin) surrounding the nerves of the CNS and can potentially injure the nerves as well. This damage causes reduced communication between the brain and nerve pathways. Common MS symptoms include visual problems, overwhelming fatigue, difficulty with balance and coordination, and various levels of impaired mobility. Many experts estimate that 2.5 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with this disease, and most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. MS is not contagious, and researchers continue looking for a cause and a cure."~ Multiple Sclerosis Association of America