Never in a million years would I have believed that a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis would benefit me in any way. 

For eighteen years I have lived with almost continuous, slowing disability due to myelin damage. I have been non ambulatory for about 12 of those years. Coming to grips with the realities of my disability has been a slow process. Pretty sure that I’ve experienced the five stages of grief over and over, each time a new symptom appears. 

The positive side of a chronic disease appears in small doses.

A recent trip to see a broadway musical at the Buell Theatre in downtown Denver has proven this to me once again. If you have ever been to a show at the performing arts complex, you know that parking can be a nightmare. With a handicap license plate we were able to park next to the elevator and be first in line at the main entrance. Once inside the lobby we were first in line again to enter the auditorium. We received early seating before anyone else entered. Our seats were located on the main level in the middle of the section at the very back. I even had room to put my feet up which allowed me to enjoy the show without leg pain. Since our seats were at the rear, getting to the parking garage was quick and easy after the show.

This may not sound like that big of a deal or make up for the trade off of being in a wheelchair, but for me these little perks add up to big appreciation.