Everyone is unique
MS is unique for each individual. Symptoms, progression, and response to treatments are just some of the things that vary by person. I've read that some research suggests that, rather than being one disease, MS is actually a set of related diseases. If this is true, it would help to explain how it presents itself in very different ways for different people. I think this is both frightening and encouraging. It's frightening that, as much as we've learned about MS, there appears there may still be so much more. But, it's encouraging that we're making progress and perhaps this new way of thinking about the disease will give us more options down the road.
Upon being diagnosed, I took comfort in the fact that MS is unique. That meant there was hope. While I wasn't guaranteed that I would be one of the best cases, I also wasn't guaranteed to turn out like the worst cases either.
It's still scary thinking about how little control I have over the disease. I can take medication and try to live a balanced life, but in the end it's the way the disease works within my own body that will determine things. I suppose we all strive for control of things that are uncontrollable. Look at how superstitious people are when they gamble: they have certain routines which they think brings them good luck, and so they follow them every time. It's ridiculous. I don't care how I hold or throw the dice, I have no control over how they are going to land.
WIth something like MS, part of acceptance is learning what can and cannot be controlled. At least we can control a lot more today than people with MS could twenty years ago.