“By participating, you agree the episode may be published and distributed.”

BILL:
What do you think people misunderstand most about living with MS?

GENEVIEVE:
People may look at me and think I’m completely fine. If I’m standing still and talking to somebody face to face, they might not notice anything at all.

But internally, I may be feeling something completely different.

If I’m walking, sometimes people can tell something is going on. But there are also symptoms people just can’t see.

BILL:
That’s important, because not every disability or neurological condition is visible.

And you’re doing a lot. You’re working, you’re in nursing school, and you’re still finding ways to move forward.

You are not MS. MS is something you live with, but it isn’t everything you are.

GENEVIEVE:
Exactly.

I try to keep going. I’m in school, I work, and I’m always trying to find different ways to better myself.

Sometimes it gets frustrating because I can’t always do as much as I used to, but I still keep moving.

BILL:
And I think that’s one of the most important things people can hear.

When I had my stroke, I had to learn that too. I had to keep moving forward even when I was frustrated, even when I felt like doctors weren’t listening, and even when recovery was difficult.

GENEVIEVE:
Sometimes I forget that. Thank you for reminding me.

BILL:
You’re welcome.

And your story may remind somebody else.

There may be somebody listening right now who has MS, who had a stroke, who is dealing with cancer, or who is going through some other major health challenge.

They may need to hear somebody say, “I’m still here. I’m still working. I’m still learning. I’m still moving forward.”

GENEVIEVE:
Absolutely.

BILL:
That’s what Scrambled Eggs & Ham is about.

It’s about the real person behind the diagnosis.

And tonight, Genevieve, I think we were both the scrambled eggs.

There was no ham.

GENEVIEVE:
Okay, now I understand it!

BILL:
There you go.

Support the show

Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging):https://988lifeline.org/chat