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3 Ways To Disown a Disease and Claim Your Power When Faced With a Life-Altering Diagnosis
Truth be told I’m slightly in shock that I’m writing about this issue at all, let alone from the perspective of a person with a disability. Even though I’ve struggled with diseases for the better part of my 45 years on goddess’s green earth, I’ve never once identified as anything other than a person without a disability. I find this level of miniature shock healthy though. Let me tell you why.
When I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, more commonly referred to as MS, I was extremely intentional in keeping the disease separate from myself. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my primal response in the following 3 areas became pillars in my journey to whole-hearted self-acceptance.
1. Semantics
Immediately after I was diagnosed, I made a conscious and noticeable choice in my language when talking about the illness. I would say “the MS” instead of “my MS”. Semantics may not seem like a big whoop to you, however, I’m here to testify to how much it matters. Try this on for size. Go ahead and say the following out loud: “When I had a headache the other day it really hurt.” Now give this statement a whirl: “When I had my headache the other day it really hurt.” Which sentence made you feel more connected to the pain of the experience…
