Americans think they would rather be dead than disabled

Who would want to. Being independent is such a gift--and many times, downright enjoyable. Guess I took my being able-bodied for granted, so easily, for far too long.

Trite, but funny . . . the saying is true. It IS the little things to be grateful for.

I didn't used to think this way, but ironically since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ I have. Realizing that I have eternal life with God after this life is over, I'd be happy to leave this life if its quality deteriorates substantially - such as being severely disabled to the point of being unable to live independently.

Note that this is not at all an endorsement of suicide, the bible is crystal clear that murder is a sin, suicide is self murder. God is to know the time of each of our deaths, not us.

My approach has been different.

Yes, life without physical & cognitive disabilities is "easier." Life without pain is a gift. That, however, is not my life.

I have other gifts. My challenges vary and so my "classroom" is different. I am learning and am able to give others different gifts as a result. I nurture new qualities in myself. I must focus on myself to a greater extent, but I still focus outside of myself. I understand that "We rise by lifting others."

Coping mechanisms are a wonderful thing.

I also know that I do not feel this way every day.

An independent life and productive life are 2 different things. I'm sure your familiar with Team Hoyt, The father and son running team, (Rick can only make small movements because an unbilical cord was wrapped around his head during birth caasuing the world to believe he was a vegetable).

Have you heard about Nick Vujicic, a man with no arms or legs that has found a way to be independent? http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

If I can still add value to someone's live or give and make a difference than I want to stay alive. If I am alive then I believe their is some value I can give the world. Otherwise God would let me go.

David
JRS Medical

My life prior to M.S. till about 35 years really, was relatively unaffected by M.S. I could walk, horse ride, ice skate, snow ski, drive, dance, worked in a professional managerial position earning a higher end salary.

When things went downhill it occurred relatively rapidly after I was forced to leave work. My excellent balance diminished, I experienced difficulty walking, had to give up driving, my vision became blurred and fatigue engulfed me on several occasions, but the worst part was the cognitive decline; my formerly almost photographic memory developed chinks..

I was shattered, my perfect memory which had been 100 percent reliable my entire life, which enabled me to perform at an outstanding level through eight years of university study and work was suddenly not the one rock solid thing that nobody could take away from me. The reality I'd witnessed with my grandmother over the last few years of her life (late 70s & 80s) due to Parkinson's was happening to me in my mid 40s through M.S.

Everything I'd achieved over my life began unraveling, like something had caught a thread from my existence and rolled the achievements down a hill taking the substance of the creation with it as it declined, garnering speed as it unwound... my confidence evaporating at the same rate.

Yes, I experienced many highs in my pre M.S. existence, I lived boldly over the first 35 years packing in more than most people do over their entire lifetime because actively I sought out all the nooks and crannies of society. People thought I was in too much of a hurry, cramming in so much over the shortest possible time frames, which was arguably true until I was diagnosed with M.S.

I'm thankful I was able to experience the first 35 years but now I'm witnessing the loss of everything I strove so hard for being trashed, being trapped helpless in a body that is failing to respond to its circumstances.

Unfortunately insight in our case is painful and unrelenting.