My mind knows it is happening. My heart starts to race with the sudden surge of panic. My voice is trapped in my throat the words frozen in my mouth. The only thing that doesn’t know it is my arms. Why don’t they reach out and protect me?

Disoriented, dazed, rattled I sit on the floor after yet another random fall this time tripping over my good intentions. That being my eight pound dumbbells that I recently purchased to get back to working out.

The sequence of events is always the same. The location might change, the body parts involved vary but the outcome is always the same. My mind knows I am falling and danger is imminent but the signal does not get to my arms in time to react.

This morning,I sat on the hardwood floor of my office, the treadmill on my left and the yoga mat on my right. I sat for five minutes before getting up taking stock. My arm still works, my leg is bruised but not broken and thankfully my head did not kiss the floor this time.

It is times like these where I can be at risk of losing my “keep a stiff upper lip” attitude is in jeopardy.

Living with MS and the constant lack of balance among the myriad of other daily challenges can only be understood by someone who has experienced living life with MS. Do not get discouraged for you will pick yourself up, brush yourself off and carry on like the brave soul you are.

Look at me, I made it up off the floor and am here writing to let all you other clutzes to let you know that “s*** happens” but forget about it and move on.

Cry if you want, scream if must but never let it beat you!

Cindy Lee Lothian

July 20, 2014