Emotional Changes and MS: Lauren’s Story
Video Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LAUREN HYLAND: My name is Lauren
Hyland.
I am 39 years old.
For me, it came on very
suddenly.
I had gotten married,
and within six months,
one morning, I just woke up,
and my vision was completely
gone in one eye.
For anybody who's just been
diagnosed, you're going
through a grieving process.
In essence, your body
has betrayed you.
It's attacking itself.
Denial, sadness, anger--
I definitely went through
self-pity and still go back
to self-pity an awful lot--
the why me, you know.
I was so healthy.
I did everything that I should
have done.
Living with MS is constantly
adapting to a new normal.
You'll have one day where you're
feeling perfectly fine,
another day where you're
completely fatigued,
another day when maybe your legs
aren't working as well,
maybe your arm isn't working as
well.
Cognitive challenges have been
difficult.
I used to rely heavily
on lists--
even more heavily, now.
I actually have to write down
everything I need to get done.
I've learned that I can't
multitask.
I absolutely need to listen
to one person at a time,
do one task at a time.
Otherwise, I'll realize
that an entire conversation has
happened, and I've missed it.
- Yeah, OK.
No running.
Look both ways before you cross,
buddy.
See that car?
LAUREN HYLAND: A lot of people
with multiple sclerosis struggle
with depression.
I have never fallen
into depression, but I have been
depressed.
And there are times where it
takes a few days to get out
of that.
When I've noticed myself falling
into a depressed state,
I just find people I can talk
to.
The thing that has made me
able to deal with this
is looking for the positive way
out of it.
- Nice!
Ah!
- Careful.
LAUREN HYLAND: There's a feeling
of empowerment to being
able to control the things that
are within my control.
This disease takes a lot
from a lot of people,
so why wouldn't we just attempt
to control those things we can?
And never take for granted
that that could change any day.
Exercise has been really
important.
I go for a walk
because I can still walk.
I'm able to run.
I'm going to continue
to do those things,
keep myself active,
to keep myself appreciating
the fact
that I have my mobility right
now.
Spending time with my family
is absolutely the thing that I
live for.
We love playing outdoors.
Being a mom is challenging all
the time.
Being a mom with MS
is really tough.
I have an incredibly supportive
husband, but he can't do
everything for me.
One of the hardest things
has been having to explain
to my son,
no, I can't play with you right
now.
I really have to lay down.
So when those things click,
and I'm able to be out there
with him, those are the best.
Just being positive is the thing
that drives me.
It keeps me smiling.
It keeps me feeling
like each day is worth living.
- Mom!
[LAUGHING]