Loads of military and war references have been going through my head of late. I’ve written pieces that touched on “fighting the battle” with multiple sclerosis (MS), the “quagmire” of progressive MS treatment, and even the benefit of “surrender.”
As I help plan a writers' weekend for the bloggers of MS Ireland’s MS & Me blog, however, a new term has come to my mind: “retreat.”
Writers' Retreats a Time-Honored Practice
Writers' retreats aren’t an oddity in my adopted country. The Irish are acknowledged around the world as thoughtful, witty, poignant, and sometimes controversial thinkers and writers. Because of that, annual pilgrimages by writers and want-to-be writers swarm small communities every year.
This MS bloggers retreat, however, has some of that military aspect to it.
As you may (or may not) know, opening up your thoughts, fears, aspirations, and indeed your life as it pertains to coping with an incurable illness like multiple sclerosis is draining work.
Please don’t take that as a back-of-the-wrist-to-the-forehead, “It’s a far, far better thing we do” sort of drama. We also get great reward from sharing our successes, as well as how we’ve dealt with (or not) our shortcomings in our struggles with MS.
But I’m happy to know that MS Ireland has come to understand that our bloggers lay it all on the page for anyone who needs a bit of information or inspiration. Good on them!
We could all use a bit of a retreat.
Disengaging From the Everyday Can Be Restorative
As we plan the weekend, I’m also thinking back on a one-week MS rehabilitation program in which I took part last August. It was inpatient at a hospital about 45 minutes drive from my house, and I was surprised by the restorative results of that five days and four nights.
While it wasn’t billed as a retreat, per se, I did feel it was a tactical disengagement from our mutual enemy and a time to sharpen our swords for another go at the damnable disease.
The time I spent working with the physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, neurologist, and nurses over that week was a real eye-opener for this “professional patient.” I didn’t need to know all the answers or always be positive or stoic in the face of particular difficulties.
RELATED: When to Rehab, When to Rest
Retreat, Not Surrender
A retreat is a tactical move away from the front. My recent rehab stay allowed for strategic thinking that has served me these last 10 months or so. I’ve been asked to help with the planning of the 2.0 version of that rehab program and look forward to that as well.
Even if it’s a book or favorite film, some time down at the beach or a library, a cup of tea with a friend that feeds the soul; all of us living with this disease could use (and greatly benefit from) a retreat from our MS. In the real and figurative sense of the word, it is good for us in both the short and long terms.
We’ll just have to get over the idea that we’re retreating. Remember, retreat isn’t surrender.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers,
Trevis
