---

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this post, at no extra cost to you.

Living with MS Social Issues

Living with MS ~ social connections - is another thing people MSers will eventually need to come to terms with. The very nature of multiple sclerosis can cause many sufferers to become alienated from family and friends. Many become less and less mobile and choose to remain at home, rather than go to the trouble of going out. 

Life on the fly...., No?

Many MSers can no longer live life on the fly. No more spontaneous picnics or unplanned shopping or restaurant excursions. The moment you step out of your comfort zone, where everything is ordered and safe, you need to plan the when, where, and how long of each trip.

Dealing with the stress of planning and then preparing for an outing only to arrive and find the place you decided on is inaccessible, can be so frustrating. Or finally getting to your destination and having to cut it short, because of fatigue or any other symptoms associated with MS, is equally discouraging.

Pretty soon you decide to just stay home - this time. Hopefully next time you'll feel more up to it. And when everyone asks, "where were you? We missed you." You make something up or tell them you just didn't feel like getting ready. Or you didn't know the venue. Each time it gets a little easier, until finally you just don't go out. It's so much easier to just stay home.

Heading off depression

Only this type of behavior can lead to total isolation down the road. Your family and friends stop inviting you places because they know you probably won't come anyway. You may feel that it's easier, however, if you do this day in and day out for weeks, months, or years, depression will most likely inevitably set in. 

You need some type of social interaction, even if it's just a phone call, zoom, or video chat. Joining a support or exercise group would be even better. That way you are at least getting out of the house a few times a month. Any or all of these can do wonders for your emotional well-being. 

For this reason we're including information on the following:

Living with MS Social Media

Facebook Groups

• Multiple Sclerosis Community - Support, Resources, & Discussion
• National Multiple Sclerosis Community
• Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
• Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

MSers on Instagram - Just a few...

Connecting with people on social media platforms like Instagram is another way to get inspired to get out and about. Or maybe it's just as fun to live through your favorite influencers vicariously....

• Lindsey Joy Holcom - @lindseyjoyholcom
• Ardra Shephard - @ms_trippingonair
• Eliz Martin - @thesparkledlife
• Dave Bexfield - @activemsers
• Selma Blair - @selmablair
• Simonne - @stayinghealthywithms
• Must Stop MS - @muststopms
• MSninjaaa - @msninjaaa
• Shane - @hammerthewall
• Yazzie - @yazzietalks
• Dr Gretchen - @dr.gretchen
• Marti Hines - @martis_mslife
• Sabrina - @me.against.ms

Other ways to connect

In the age of social media, it's hard to keep up with all of the different platforms out there. I know we're probably showing our age as we admit this, however, it's a fact, so keep that in mind when you read this post.

There are many more Facebook groups, Instagrammers, Twitterers, (or Xers), or Snapchatters, (you get the idea), with MS than we would ever be able to share on this page, so our advice is to just do a search for multiple sclerosis on your favorite platform and see who or what pops up.

There are a few chat rooms still going as well, believe it or not. Use the link below to check those out.

• MS chat rooms

Make a New MS Friend...?

You never know who you might meet in a FB group or an MS chat room. You may develop lifelong friends as a result. Just be careful and use common sense when dealing with people you don't know. Don't give out any personal info when you first meet someone.

Cir has visited a number of on-line groups in the past and has made several good friends as a result. Most of them he can relate to because they also have multiple sclerosis, as well. It's so much easier when you don't have to explain why you need to stop and take a nap or why you're sitting in a wheel chair. 

And it probably goes without saying, but I'll say it again anyway, be safe. It's very easy to meet people online, however, every person you meet may not be who they say they are. So if you have doubts, go with your gut and cut ties before things get out of hand. 

Real World Connections

Social media is one way, to make connections, however, nothing takes the place of getting out into the real world if at all possible. If you're a people person, like Cir, there's nothing more satisfying than talking one on one or face to face with friends for a few minutes or hours every so often.

So, come on. Get up, get dressed and get out of your comfort zone. Call someone you haven't talked to in awhile - a family member, a friend. Take a walk or a spin around the neighborhood in your power chair. Go out to your favorite accessible restaurant or cafe.

And don't worry about it if you have to cut your outing short. It's okay. At least you got out of the house, even if it didn't go as planned. Plans need to be flexible to accommodate who? You.

Go from Living with MS Social Issues back to Living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Privacy Policy ~ Advertising Policy ~ Disclaimer ~ Contact Us ~ About Us

Could You Answer 
A Few Quick Questions 
For Us? 

Living with MS

• Living with MS 
• Living with MS - Emotional & Physical 
• Living with MS - Employment 
• Living with MS - Family 
• Living with MS - Healthcare Team 
• Living with MS - Housing 
• Living with MS - Mobility 
• Living with MS - Self-Help 
• Living with MS - Social 
• Living with MS - Travel