Multiple Sclerosis

I'm Laura. How I cope with Multiple Sclerosis - I am middle-aged, madly in love and getting through life day by day!
Life is an open road...where are you going?

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

I bought a bicycle recently...I can't walk much, but riding my new bike is super easy! Who knew! Wish I knew this years ago! #cycle #MS

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@GMsIrishLass I wanted to get doctors to encourage cycling, swimming, horseback riding…anything to get people with MS to KEEP MOVING! I had huge improvement when I combined cycling and learning piano, that my doctor spearheaded a global study on cognition training and exercise to improve MS!

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@xplosneer @sparklypine I felt freedom when I got my first powerchair in 2010, but it is nothing like the freedom I feel when cycling where I get to feel "normal"!

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@KirstyDuncanMP Congratulations! That is amazing! ❤️

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@Sandrina100 This is in Dorset, Ontario. It used to be a fire watch tower, but was decommissioned decades ago when they started using airplanes to watch for firest fires. It has been a general observation tower for tourists ever since!

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

I did my annual "F*ck You MS" tower climb and successfully made it to the top! Yay!

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@RachelHorne19 Hopefully, they did the testing in the same order as they did ten years ago…it will give them the best comparison. Remember that your body has aged ten years, too. Try not to be discouraged. You’re seeing results based on a day of stressful activity, not your normal day! ❤️

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@lisadoggettmd Absolutely amazing! What an inspiration you are! ❤️💪

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@DaleGriffiths17 @MirrorBreaking_ Electricity powers more than lights! It's not warm enough to do without heating for long...there is cooking, too. And what about those who need to power medical equipment?

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@LightHackers @Number10cat I agree with @Number10cat this should be on a postage stamp! Fabulous photo! #StampForLarry #LarryTheCat

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@AnnieLennox A @SarahMcLachlan fan!!! How awesome is that! OMG Sarah! THE Annie Lennox is quoting you! Nice to see some stellar Canadian lyrics! ❤️

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

2022 has been an interesting year! As always, ending the year with elevated MS symptoms! Wish I understood why the onset of winter worsens my MS! I wish you all the best possible health and a wealth of happiness in 2023. ❤️

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

There are now three horses that I ride for my lessons! I spent the majority of summer on Saffron, the chestnut (the football at Halloween!) but still sometimes ride Reno the grey (white horse). Most recently, I started riding Cali, the palomino (Barbie’s dream horse lookalike!)

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

So I had an interesting lesson April 27th. I did my first sitting trot AND my first canter! Sadly, I also had my first fall! I lost my left stirrup when I asked for the canter and I couldn't recover my balance at that speed! Tomorrow I am back in the saddle again! Fingers crossed

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@OnionsMomma I found out yesterday about a riding simulator. If it had the same health benefits, would you consider using something like that? (I'm working towards launching a program, so your feedback is valuable!)

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

Are there other people out there with MS that would like to try horseback riding? Is it a dream never realized? What were your barriers to riding? Tell me please! #MultipleSclerosis #riding #Horses

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@huhanahickey @ACCforumnz What prevents you from doing it now, if you don't mind me asking?

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@dizabled_doctor Yikes! How awful! I wish you fast healing!

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@KerryGalcik Is there anything keeping you from realizing this goal?

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@FramingNebula82 I am so sorry to hear that.

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@cl3me I am so glad to hear you got back in the saddle again! Just 8 weeks of lessons (I am a new rider) and I am already seeing a huge, life-changing improvement in my balance and overall health! I wish I could get everyone with MS on a horse!

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@OnionsMomma That's a fair point! I'm sure you're not alone on that one! Would therapy sessions with a horse in the room scare you, or is it just a fear of being on the horse? Your feedback is appreciated!

[Multiple Sclerosis @Coping_with_MS]

@dizabled_doctor I hope your CIS never develops into MS! Riding has completely changed my life! In just two months, too! Do you ever think about getting back into riding?