title: Multiple sclerosis: living the reality.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a highly variable and unpredictable disease and is considered one of the most life-altering diagnoses a person can receive (Holland and Madonna, 2005). The hallmark of this disorder is its unpredictability. This article explores the journey one individual (ML) takes from the time that seemingly trivial symptoms took on a new and disturbing meaning to the point where, as someone newly diagnosed with MS, the potential challenges of the journey ahead have to be viewed with realism, optimism, and meaning.
authors.affiliation: The Medical School, University of Edinburgh.
authors.forename: Tonks N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Fawcett
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucas
mesh_terms: D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*