By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., About.com Guide October 30, 2011
( a lucky Gal, Julie is, that the NMSS asked her to attend Ectrims, as not only did she learn from the conference but she learned before attending, as well. Read on)
I used to think that I could not travel by myself because I had multiple sclerosis (MS). I truly believed that for many years, from the time that I was diagnosed until very recently.
I was offered the chance to go to Amsterdam to blog the ECTRIMS 2011 conference for the National MS Society in October. I jumped at the opportunity.
I was so excited for this conference and the blogging, that it didn’t occur to me that I couldn’t do it. My husband couldn’t come with me, and I still didn’t hesitate. It was only after I got on the plane that I thought, “Oh, my. I am by myself. Whoa…”
Honestly, I almost started to cry at that moment. It wasn’t because I was scared or upset. It was because I was proud of myself and happy that I had not let my MS keep me home.
Was it hard to travel alone as a person with MS? Yeah, I guess there were challenges. I have some cognitive issues that make it a little difficult to read maps. I get tired sometimes. I might have to walk a little slower than I would like. Maybe instead of doing everything I would like to in one day, I’ll have to pick a few and do my best.
You know what? It was an amazing trip. My husband did get to join me after the conference, and I was the “expert” on the city. I had learned where things were and how things worked by the time he got there. I felt powerful and proud. I was so intrigued with the experience of being solo in a foreign city, that I even forgot I had MS at times. And THAT was awesome.
I put together an article with some of the things that helped me feel in control during the times that I was by myself in a strange land. I’d love for anyone to chime in with tips and ideas on traveling as a person with MS and the challenges that come with it. Please leave your stories in the comments section below.
Read my full article: Traveling Alone with Multiple Sclerosis
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