Run Along and Have a Good Life: What 40+ Years Beyond an MS Diagnosis Has Taught Me
When I was twenty-three, two neurologists looked at the same brain scan and told me two completely different stories about my future with multiple sclerosis.
The first counted the lesions on my MRI until he stopped at twenty-five. Then he told me to go home and “get my affairs in order.”
At twenty-three years old, I didn’t even know what that meant.
I was in university. I had plans. I had a horse to ride and a life I fully intended to live.
So I sought a second opinion.
The second neurologist — a kind man who later went on to do important work in MS research — looked at the exact same scans, the exact same lesions, and the exact same young woman sitting across from him.
And he said:
“Run along and have a good life.”
I chose his version of the story immediately.
Not because the first neurologist was wrong about the scan, but because the second neurologist understood something deeper: A scan is a picture of tissue. It is not a picture of a life.
More than forty years later, I’m still here. Still working. Still learning. Still rebuilding. Still living well beyond the diagnosis.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned after decades of living with MS, it’s this:
The diagnosis is one piece of information. It is not the whole story of your future.
Living With MS: Where the Mind Goes, the Body Follows
Over the years, I’ve watched one principle prove itself over and over again — both in my own life and in thousands of people I’ve worked with in clinical practice:
Where the mind goes, the body follows.
Mindset matters.
That doesn’t mean positivity cures illness. And it certainly doesn’t mean difficult emotions should be ignored.
I’ve had hard seasons too.
During COVID, I found myself emotionally depleted, disconnected, and stuck in an in-between chapter of life. My body reflected exactly where my mind was living. I felt firsthand how quickly stress, fear, and hopelessness can shape physical health.
But I also learned something equally important:
You do not need to avoid every low moment to heal. You simply need to recognize when you’re stuck there — and gently begin moving yourself forward again.
For me, two of the most powerful healing tools cost absolutely nothing:
Smiling
Breathing outdoors whenever possible
It sounds too simple to matter.
But simple things change physiology.
A genuine smile shifts your nervous system and biochemistry. Deep breathing regulates stress responses and calms the body. Spending time outside reconnects us with rhythm, perspective, and presence.
These small practices are not insignificant.
They are foundational.
The Real Foundation for Living Well With MS
One of the biggest misconceptions about healing beyond an MS diagnosis is that there must be some hidden secret.
There isn’t.
The truth is surprisingly uncomplicated:
The foundation for living well with MS is the same foundation required for living well in general.
It comes back to four core principles:
Mindset
Movement
Real food
Rest and self-care
That foundation never changes.
Whether someone is training for their first marathon at fifty or navigating life with MS for four decades, the essentials remain remarkably similar:
Consistency. Routine. Intentional daily choices.
Not quick fixes.
Not miracle cures.
Not chasing every trending supplement or protocol online because someone else claimed it worked for them.
Real healing work is usually much quieter than that.
It’s built in ordinary moments repeated consistently over time.
Why Movement Is One of the Most Powerful Tools for MS
If there’s one thing I wish more people understood about multiple sclerosis and long-term brain health, it’s this: Movement is medicine for the brain.
Research around movement, neuroplasticity, and longevity has exploded in recent years, and the evidence is incredibly compelling.
Movement supports:
Brain health
Mood regulation
Immune function
Lymphatic drainage
Strength and mobility
Energy production
Nervous system regulation
And movement does not have to look athletic to matter.
People often hear the word “exercise” and immediately imagine something impossible or inaccessible.
Some of my best workouts happen in my kitchen.
I use a telescopic saddle stool while cooking, constantly engaging my core and stabilizing muscles as I move around. I also use:
A seated elliptical
Free weights
A Swedish ladder for sit-to-stands and squats
A vibration plate
A lightweight titanium wheelchair for upper-body and core training
Everybody can find a starting point.
The key principle underneath all of it is neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to create and strengthen new pathways through intentional repetition.
At first, neuroplasticity work can feel more mental than physical.
The brain learns before the body follows.
And even after decades with MS, the body still responds.
That possibility never stops mattering.
Neuroplasticity and MS: Why Positive Change Is Still Possible
One of the most hopeful discoveries in modern neuroscience is that the nervous system remains adaptable far longer than we once believed.
You are not “too far gone.”
You are not too old.
You have not had MS for “too long.”
I experienced this personally during a neuroplasticity study involving three twenty-minute movement sessions each day. My walking capacity increased dramatically — far beyond what anyone expected.
The most powerful part wasn’t the measurement itself.
It was realizing that change was still possible after all those years.
That understanding changed everything.
Because once you realize the body can still adapt, hope becomes practical again.
An MS Diagnosis Does Not Predict the Quality of Your Life
Over the years, I’ve seen many examples proving that scans and prognoses do not define human lives.
I once worked with a patient who had only a handful of very stable lesions on his MRI, yet he was bedridden and deeply unwell.
Meanwhile, my own scans had far more visible disease activity.
The scans didn’t predict the outcome.
They rarely do.
This is something medicine is increasingly recognizing across many neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease: structural changes in the brain do not perfectly predict how someone functions or experiences life.
A diagnosis is information.
Important information, yes.
But still only one piece of a much larger picture.
Building a Support System Matters
Healing from chronic illness is not something most people sustain entirely alone.
Not just medical support, but emotional and relational support from people who believe in your possibility — especially on the days when you struggle to believe in it yourself.
That may include:
Healthcare practitioners
Therapists
Coaches
Friends
Community groups
Movement professionals
Family members
One of the best decisions I ever made was refusing to stay around people who projected limitation onto me.
Years ago, I fired a personal trainer because he didn’t believe in my potential.
That wasn’t ego.
That was protecting the foundation I was trying to build.
Joy Doesn’t Have to Look Extraordinary
At sixty-four, I’m still reinventing myself.
Still dreaming.
Still creating.
Still finding ways to live fully.
But one thing I’ve learned is that joy doesn’t have to look dramatic to matter.
Healing isn’t always about ecstatic happiness or constant inspiration.
Sometimes joy is simply:
A calm nervous system
A quiet afternoon in the garden
A warm sunbeam on the couch
A moment of self-compassion
Feeling okay enough to make the next good choice
That counts too.
In many ways, those ordinary moments are the real long game.
You Are Never Too Old. It Is Never Too Late.
Years after my diagnosis, a neuroscientist working in neuroplasticity shared words I still think about almost every day: “You are never too old. You have never had MS too long. And you are never too advanced to make positive change.”
That message extends far beyond multiple sclerosis.
It applies to setbacks.
To healing.
To rebuilding.
To life itself.
No matter where you are right now, your future is not fully written.
And no diagnosis gets to decide the entire story for you.
So if I can leave you with anything after forty-plus years of living beyond an MS diagnosis, it’s this:
Run along — and have a good life.
I invite you to take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people really live well for decades after an MS diagnosis?
Yes. Many people live full, meaningful lives for decades after diagnosis. While MS is unpredictable and varies widely from person to person, long-term outcomes are influenced by many factors, including overall health habits, support systems, and access to care.
What type of exercise is best for MS?
There is no single “best” exercise. The most effective movement is what you can do consistently. This may include walking, stretching, yoga, seated exercises, swimming, or neurological physiotherapy. The key is gentle, regular movement tailored to your ability.
What is neuroplasticity in MS?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself by forming new neural pathways. In MS, this means the brain can sometimes find alternative routes around damaged areas through intentional, repetitive movement and rehabilitation.
Is exercise safe for people with MS?
In most cases, yes—exercise is safe and recommended for people with MS when done appropriately. It should be adapted to your energy levels and physical condition. Working with a neurological physiotherapist can help ensure safety and effectiveness.
How important is mindset in living with MS?
Mindset is a major influence on how people experience chronic illness. While it does not replace medical care, mindset can shape stress levels, motivation, daily habits, and resilience — all of which affect overall wellbeing.
What role does movement play in MS management?
Movement is one of the most important lifestyle foundations in MS. Adaptive movement supports:
Brain and nervous system health
Mobility and strength
Energy and fatigue regulation
Mood and stress balance
Neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt)
Movement can be tailored to all ability levels, including seated or assisted options.
What are the “foundational pillars” mentioned in the article?
The article highlights four core lifestyle foundations:
Mindset and emotional wellbeing
Movement and physical activity
Real, nourishing food choices
Rest, recovery, and self-care
These are presented as universal foundations for health, not MS-specific rules.
Is recovery or improvement possible in MS?
MS is a chronic condition, and experiences vary widely. Some people experience periods of stability or improvement in function, especially when supporting overall health. However, outcomes are individual and not guaranteed.
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