True Champions MS: Christie's MS Manifesto
In this episode of True Champions, Christie shares her personal manifesto that guides her through life with multiple sclerosis. It’s important to laug
In this episode of True Champions, Christie shares her personal manifesto that guides her through life with multiple sclerosis. It’s important to laugh, a lot! Also, listen to your body and rest when you need to. While it has always been tough for Christie she realizes she has to ask for help when she needs it. And lastly, create goals. For Christie, her bucket list included jumping off the stratosphere with a good friend, so she did it!
Duration: 3:01. Last Updated On: Nov. 8, 2017, 6:14 p.m.
- 00:00 [MUSIC].
- 00:07 My name is Christie and after reading the book written by Dr.
- 00:11 Julie, I thought, I like this idea, I'm gonna create my own manifesto.
- 00:16 The point of the manifesto is to make the hard parts easier and
- 00:19 the good stuff last a little bit longer.
- 00:22 I, Christie Germans, will.
- 00:23 This is the most important part.
- 00:24 Laugh, laugh, laugh.
- 00:26 It really is the best medicine.
- 00:28 >> [LAUGH].
- 00:29 >> I'm gonna listen to my body.
- 00:31 It often tells me when to rest.
- 00:32 So I need to listen up and rest when it tells me to.
- 00:36 One of my favorite things, I will ride my bicycle.
- 00:39 Are you trying to race me?
- 00:40 >> [LAUGH].
- 00:42 >> In fact, now that I've done 15 and 30 mile journeys with the Bike MS events,
- 00:47 cross my fingers, let's get into the 100 mile journey.
- 00:53 I will, and this is difficult for me, this next part, ask for help when I need it.
- 00:57 I wanna be independent, you know, and it's so important.
- 01:00 But sometimes I just need somebody else to pitch in a little bit.
- 01:03 This next part is fantastic.
- 01:05 I've already bolded it.
- 01:06 Jump off the top of the Stratosphere.
- 01:08 Woo!
- 01:08 My God this is crazy.
- 01:11 I did it.
- 01:11 Done.
- 01:12 It's kind of a bucket list kind of item, and I did it with a really dear friend of
- 01:16 mine and we did it, and it was awesome, and amazing, and fun.
- 01:19 The next part, we talk a little bit about exercise.
- 01:21 I wanna move my body.
- 01:23 No matter how moderately.
- 01:24 It's an important component of life with MS.
- 01:28 I can't wait to do this next one.
- 01:30 Are you ready?
- 01:32 Trek to Mount Everest base camp.
- 01:35 Would that be cool?
- 01:36 I also, and this is important, will visit my very well trained and
- 01:41 hilarious neurologist.
- 01:43 Cuz he's funny, he gives me good stories, and he gives me hope.
- 01:47 But he takes me and my life seriously.
- 01:49 So it's important that I check in regularly with him.
- 01:52 It's important, and I will stay informed on the latest treatments.
- 01:55 I'm gonna do this by taking copious amounts of notes and doing lots of
- 01:59 research, figuring out what's out there, and ask a lotta questions.
- 02:03 Maybe interact with people who are on the medications I
- 02:06 might be thinking about switching to.
- 02:08 But I will remain committed to my drug therapy routine today.
- 02:13 I will try to help lift up the MS community by continuing to
- 02:17 share stories and supporting my peeps, whether they're newly diagnosis or
- 02:21 have been on the journey for a while.
- 02:25 This is important to me, cuz I don't want anyone out there feeling alone.
- 02:29 We're in this together.
- 02:31 And then lastly, I'm gonna keep a symptom journal.
- 02:33 Now, this sounds so easy and basic, but I wanna jot down the symptoms I feel in what
- 02:37 I've called the weird sensations that are bugging me right now document.
- 02:42 now, keeping track of your symptoms is critical, but I'm notorious for
- 02:46 not doing it, so I need to keep this on my list so I don't forget to do it.
- 02:51 That's my manifesto.
- 02:52 What do you think?
- 02:53 [MUSIC].
