Multiple Sclerosis Turned Me Into Mr. Magoo

Lately, I've started to wonder if MS has turned me into Mr. Magoo.

Think about it.

I don't see or hear well, and my sense of smell isn't what it once was either.

Some days I find myself squinting at something that's right in front of me or asking someone to repeat what they just said. I laugh because sometimes it's easier than getting frustrated.

But here's the part that makes me smile...

Mr. Magoo never lacked confidence.

He walked through life believing he knew exactly what he was doing, even when the world around him looked very different than everyone else saw it.

I'd like to think I still have a little of that.

Not blind confidence. Hopeful confidence.

The difference is that I'm aware of my challenges. I know my weaknesses, and I don't ignore them. I work on them.

I exercise.

I stretch.

I work on my balance.

I tap.

I run.

I do everything I can to keep moving forward, even when MS would prefer that I stand still.

One thing Mr. Magoo was famous for was somehow making it through impossible situations. He'd wander into danger and, against all odds, find his way out.

Sometimes my workouts feel a little like that.

Every step challenges my balance.

Every run reminds me my body works differently than it used to.

Every workout is an opportunity to prove to myself that I'm still here... still fighting... still improving.

The biggest difference between me and Mr. Magoo?

He relied on luck.

I rely on determination.

And I rely on people.

I'm incredibly grateful for the support of my wife, son, doctors, and the friends who know I have MS. Their encouragement makes the difficult days easier and the good days even better.

Interestingly, many of my friends still don't know I have Multiple Sclerosis.

That's okay.

MS doesn't define me.

It's simply one of the challenges I've been given.

So maybe I am a little like Mr. Magoo.

Not because I stumble through life unaware...

But because I refuse to let what I can't control stop me from living the life I still can.

And if I occasionally look like I'm wandering through a construction zone while trying to stay upright during balance exercises...

Well... I'll just keep smiling and moving forward.