This week is MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Awareness week. Back in 2014 almost to the day, a neurologist diagnosed me with Relapsing and Remitting MS. Towards the end of 2013, I was already experiencing symptoms, that I would soon self-diagnose myself with MS before an appointment with the doctor. It was extremely hard to walk, talk, see and have any strong motor skills during the earliest of times, the disease had no mercy. With support from Orande, who accompanied me to all my appointments, my family, and some close friends I was encouraged to pray and take it slow. At home, Orande and I changed our diet, I increased my exercise regime, worked on my motor skills but ultimately I tried to take it slow. My goal was for my wedding day in 2015 to be fully functional and no longer on medication, I met that goal.

Initially, when the first neurologist diagnosed me, he spoke to how the disease would play out in my body. Frighteningly, I listened to everything he had to say which in turn created a meltdown to Orande outside the doctor's office. How could this be my sentence? I felt completely defeated. So I pulled my strength from God, Orande and my family and was determined not to have my life play out how this disease is supposed to. Granted every day is not a good day, but now I am able to be active and speak and write the way I use to while knowing my limits. So please don’t believe the prognosis you're given for whatever ailments in life (whether physical, mental, emotional, etc.) is the only way it has to be for you. I’m unsure of where the future of this disease will take me but even in the worst of times, I believe you can choose to see the light in the dark. So don’t let your heart harden on a situation to where you feel a change is unfathomable. You can choose to simmer or you can choose to rise and only foods like soup should simmer.

Spread awareness and share knowledge with others about MS. #fightMS #MSsurvivor

Not long ago I was in the post office to purchase a padded envelope and ship the package out within the same visit. There were 3 post office workers behind the each of the main areas, but they didn't have any supplies on the walls behind them like most post offices have. I continued to look around and there was only one area I saw that sold the supplies, so I went to that section and stood in line behind a family of 4. After 12 minutes of waiting, the family finishes and I step up to the front. I tell the female post office worker that I would like to purchase 1 padded envelope. She responds to me by saying, "Wait, so you've been waiting all this time for 1 padded envelope?, Why didn't you go to one of the other associates"? I let her know that I had no idea I could, as I only saw the supplies in this area. As she leans in over the counter closer to my face she says "Babygirl, closed mouths don't get fed. Don't you know that? You should've just asked one of them". I laughed to myself because a few days before this incident, I was in a store and a sales associate told me almost the exact same thing. I couldn't find an item and was preparing to leave the store before I was stopped to ask what I was looking for. Unfortunately, I've become accustomed to being ignored or having rude customer service (remember my Sephora story) experiences in shopping situations.

Both the post office worker and the retail sales associate are right, closed mouths don't get fed. This statement is applicable to all forms of life. If we want something to change then we need to speak up and not stay idle on a line. Usually, I am very vocal but on these two separate occasions, I was a jaded New Yorker and that is not a good way to be. On the flip side just because you open your mouth to speak doesn't mean you will get heard. So do some yoga poses to open your throat chakra and make some noise.

Living

Statements