To ask what most people think a disabled person with MS looks like?

I have to admit I know very little about MS; I know it some people have constant degenerative symptoms and others have flare-ups followed by better periods, and I know it's a chronic and lifelong condition. That said, I don't think I have a particular mental image of someone with MS. Pretty much anyone could tell me they have MS and I wouldn't see any cause to doubt them, no matter whether they're a wheelchair-user, visibly unwell, or seemingly very fit and healthy.

As somebody with an invisible illness myself, I try my best to understand and check my assumptions about others who may be in the same boat. Just because somebody can do something today, I know that doesn't mean they will always be able to spare the energy or avoid the symptoms. Equally, I would never question anyone on what facilities and accommodations they may or may not need, I've been on the receiving end of such doubts and I would hate to be that skeptical, invalidating figure in someone else's life.

I'd love to see more awareness for MS, as it certainly doesn't seem to get the attention and understanding some other chronic and invisible illnesses are beginning to see. If anyone has any recommendations of where to find good information and people's real stories and experiences, I'd love to learn more!

I think there was some case in the press about a lady with MS who was seen running marathons, but claiming PIP. She got done for fraud.

I have it and run, cycle and go to the gym every day. I climb mountains and am on top form to the outside world. No one sees the afternoon naps, the stiffness in my legs, the restless legs at night, the sheer exhaustion, the shaking hands, which turn to stone if I grip something, constant tripping and falling ….. and the rest!

I had a friend with MS, she looked absolutely fine and was always (or seemed to be) full of energy. Loud bubbly friendly person. Very rarely she would bring a stick to work if her legs weren’t feeling great but you really wouldn’t know to look at her.

My lovely neighbour looks very fit and healthy. She hasn't had a serious relapse for years, due mostly to luck I guess, but she also looks after herself very very well, and is proactive with seeking out every course of (proper, medical) treatment going. I think she has quite a few minor symptoms that she makes light of to acquaintances though.

I need a little bit of a rant and I'd like to get an overall opinion on what, if anything, the general public think that MS 'sufferers' look like.

I have known four people with MS. One was very quickly in a wheelchair and has since died, one was able to walk using sticks for a long time, one has had numb feet but no other symptoms for 15 years and has been on various different types of medication. One has only just been diagnosed and struggles a bit with balance.

I had a friend who has MS. She had been having weird symptoms for a long time (the first was feeling a cold breeze on her forehead all of the time, when there was no breeze), and when she was finally diagnosed it was a few years before she "looked" disabled. She now uses a walking stick and has a lot of fatigue. Still manages to work for now though.
An old boyfriend's mum had it, and was a full time wheelchair user. She had to have carers in, and some days she was paralysed and bed bound.
Another is a lady I know now who has just had to leave her WFH job because her brain fog and eyesight got worse. She uses a scooter to get about, and a zimmer frame at home.

But yeah, YANBU. MS is a spectrum in a way and no two people present the same. Rant away!

Op my best friend was diagnosed 30 years ago. On the outside she looks okay but you can see the signs. Its a horrible disease and I'm sending you the biggest of hugs x

I have two friends with MS - one has a very significant issue with walking, foot drop, unsteady gait and balance issues. The other has minor coordination and sensory issues. It's different for everyone and sadly some people just don't understand this - but they are also the people who tend to not be able to wrap their head around less visible disabilities. I have a friend with very serious epilepsy too and he's forever spending his life explaining to people why he wears a sunflower lanyard...

The three friends I have had over the years with MS - one became immobile very quickly and died within a couple of years, another has had it twenty odd years with the main problems not being able to walk uphill easily and any cold lasts much longer than average the third is somewhere in the middle.
I think it there are four types of MS.

I know / knew a few people with MS, going from appearing absolutely fine (when up and about), to using a cane, to being extremely disabled. It's a real spectrum. Mental health seems to be a huge factor in how "well" they are too.

My opinion : for quite a while they look absolutely the same as everyone else and the difference won’t be noticeable visibly only in conversations when they mention extra breaks at work or going to bed earlier or visits to their consultant.

Op I think because its not always a obvious visible illness people don't realise how ill you actually are. If that makes sense x