Dependence and independence
Finding a healthy balance between independence and dependence is a constant struggle, not just for people with MS but for many people with chronic diseases.
In many western cultures (like the US and Canada), the struggle is complicated by the high value placed on independence by the cultures. Somehow, to be less than fully independent is often viewed as being less than fully competent, fully a person.
After 57 years in the culture and 17 years with MS, I think my own attitude toward these issues has shifted from the mainstream. For me, one of the greatest acts of independence is asking for help when I need it. "What?", you are saying, "That doesn't make sense." I disagree. Humans are infinitely varied. There are things that I can do that others can't. And there are things others can do that I can't. What's wrong with admitting that and helping one another out?
Offering, and accepting, help is one of the most human acts. There is a very special connection that is made every time one person reaches out a hand and that hand is grasped by another. I could even make the argument that to ask for help is to give another the opportunity to experience the connection and is therefore a good deed.
Related Topics: Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
Technorati Tags: multiplesclerosis, livingwithmultiplesclerosis, MS
In many western cultures (like the US and Canada), the struggle is complicated by the high value placed on independence by the cultures. Somehow, to be less than fully independent is often viewed as being less than fully competent, fully a person.
After 57 years in the culture and 17 years with MS, I think my own attitude toward these issues has shifted from the mainstream. For me, one of the greatest acts of independence is asking for help when I need it. "What?", you are saying, "That doesn't make sense." I disagree. Humans are infinitely varied. There are things that I can do that others can't. And there are things others can do that I can't. What's wrong with admitting that and helping one another out?
Offering, and accepting, help is one of the most human acts. There is a very special connection that is made every time one person reaches out a hand and that hand is grasped by another. I could even make the argument that to ask for help is to give another the opportunity to experience the connection and is therefore a good deed.
Related Topics: Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
Technorati Tags: multiplesclerosis, livingwithmultiplesclerosis, MS
2 Comments:
IF I ACCEPT SO MUCH HELP WON'T IT MAKE ME WEAKER THAN I ALREADY AM.
I HAVE A IMPORTANT QUESTION ON MY MIND!!! MY ABILITY TO WALK AND BALANCE GET BETTER JUST BEFORE BEDTIME SOME DAYS. IS THIS COMMON AND ARE ANY STUDIES ONGOING TO TEST BLOOD LEVELS ETC. TO FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE ME THAT WAY DURING THE DAY &/OR ALWAYS.
IF I ACCEPT SO MUCH HELP WON'T IT MAKE ME WEAKER THAN I ALREADY AM.
I HAVE A IMPORTANT QUESTION ON MY MIND!!! MY ABILITY TO WALK AND BALANCE GET BETTER JUST BEFORE BEDTIME SOME DAYS. IS THIS COMMON AND ARE ANY STUDIES ONGOING TO TEST BLOOD LEVELS ETC. TO FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE ME THAT WAY DURING THE DAY &/OR ALWAYS.
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