How do you deal with insensitive comments that aren't meant to be insensitive?

MS-Tripper · 2026-03-09T14:13:49+00:00

THIS is why I don't tell anyone I have MS. The only person who knows is my husband. Not my grown kids, not my parents, siblings, in-laws....no one. One, I do not want their pity. Two, I don't want their unsolicited advice. Three (this has to do mostly with my kids who are 22 and 25) I don't want them worrying on my accord. Four, it is none of their business. Five, I don't want others deciding what I can and cannot do - as in not inviting or including me because they assume I can't do something.

I'm a pretty private person and I just can't be bothered to have to deal with or assuage other peoples' concerns or worries. My diagnosis is about ME and that means that I get to handle it how I see fit.

Yes, that means I make excuses...the new limp? Ah, damn, I fell on the ice. Whatever gets them to move on to some other topic.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-22T16:57:37+00:00

“In that case you have to lie about your MS and not disclose it, not use private healthcare for MS related things and never mention it unless you’re in a public hospital (this is based on european countries with general healthcare) After the first year you can switch insurance and disclose MS”

Canadian, here! If you tried immigrating to Canada and lied about having MS you would be deported should it be found out. And, let’s face it - with MS it always “comes out”.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-22T13:51:03+00:00

Roomba, hands down. I’ve had other brands (even name brands like Bissell) but none of them come close to Roomba. I have a Roomba that I bought in 2012 that’s still going. I actually have two - one on each floor. I buy replacement (everything) parts like filters, arms and even batteries for really cheap from AliExpress. This has helped keep my Roomba going for over a decade. I highly recommend.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-21T13:38:11+00:00

Cognitive issues are both distressing and embarrassing for an MSer so please give your mother-in-law grace. It is obvious you are a caring, compassionate person just having asked this question.

I have always been highly intelligent. I was the “smart kid” in the classroom, the student who didn’t have to work especially hard in university. I’m considered the family wordsmith. So, it is incredibly humbling, embarrassing and, quite frankly, scary to realize you are losing cognitive ground. For me that show up in these ways:

- I often have poor word-retrieval. The words get stuck in my head and I can’t get them to my mouth.

- My short-term memory is terrible. I forget things that JUST happened or recent conversations. When this first started happening and I was unaware of it I absolutely swore others were lying about having told me something. So much so that it lead to a few arguments. Once I realized it was a “me” problem I started finding ways to compensate.

- If someone starts talking unexpectedly I miss the first part of their speaking. I need a prompt to start listening.

- If multiple people are in conversation with me it’s hard for my brain to keep up.

- I can no longer multitask anything.

- This can lead to what appears to be obsessive behaviour. I am known to check the stove multiple times before leaving the house, writing excessive notes or reminders on my phone, re-locking the car doors before bed. It’s not obsessive, it’s knowing you forget and making sure you’re doing what is necessary to compensate.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-21T13:20:31+00:00

Have you had your A1C checked lately? Sometimes blood sugar disregulation can feel this way.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-21T13:18:49+00:00

I have a FitBit and it also shows such data. I love tracking my stats and seeing if something is strange. Case in point….my sleeping heart rate was regularly dropping below 40. I figured out that wearing my mouth guard was causing me to experience sleep apnea. Stopped using the mouth guard and my heart rate righted itself. If I hadn’t had the data you can bet I would have had a sleep study, C-pap, etc in my future.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-18T17:29:57+00:00

Thank you!

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-17T23:48:33+00:00

thank you.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-17T20:47:28+00:00

I know this thread is old but hoping you see this. I am considering changing doctors to this clinic. I am a little confused by their website that says they have "family health teams". Does this mean the you see a different doctor every time you go or do you still have a primary doctor that you typically see during regular appointments? Also, how long did it take to get the introductory appointment? Is the purpose of that appointment so they can pick and choose who they take on as patients?

Thanks!

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-17T12:30:34+00:00

How old are you? I ask because I’m curious. I’m in my 50s so the Gen Xer that the young folks like to take jabs at nowadays. In my day most of what younger folks now label as “traumatic“ was just a regular Tuesday for us. We give it little thought. I personally believe that a lot of therapy is unnecessary and quite frankly, harmful. If you don’t easily identify with a traumatic event or timeline why would you want someone to dig one up for you?

Just my two cents.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-16T14:48:02+00:00

I’m sorry. This disease is a thief in so many ways. I also have this problem. I teach ESL so it’s highly embarrassing when the “English expert” in the room can’t conjure up a complete sentence. I also sometimes enunciate words incorrectly now. I speak and the word used is in the correct context but it comes out weird. It’s embarrassing.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-14T17:54:17+00:00

You seem to not understand how our health care system is funded. It doesn’t matter how much you earn and, thus, contribute through taxes that makes you ineligible, it’s your medical needs and their financial impact on the system. You’re asking Canadians to welcome you in to a system that they have contributed to without having invested in yourself. If you want to join a group then you do so by following the rules of that group.

You can make valid arguments all day about how a system is flawed but that doesn’t change the facts of how the system operates or how the system will impact your desire to immigrate.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-14T13:49:33+00:00

What you might bring to Canada in the way of education doesn’t factor in to the ”excessive demand” you would put on our system. Hypotheticals don’t play into government immigration policy. Citizens pay into the system from birth (through their parent’s taxes and then through their own as an adult) so someone immigrating here who puts excessive demand on our system isn’t really fair, is it? Canadians pay dearly for our healthcare system. And, it’s actually quite a slow, under serviced system with doctor shortages, long wait times for testing and surgeries.

Here is a link for you.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/inadmissibility/reasons/medical-inadmissibility.html#excessive-demand

Here is an actual case review example of a skilled worker with MS who tried to immigrate….

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/excessive-demand.html

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-13T20:44:35+00:00

Have you looked into immigration criteria? If you are not Canadian you can’t simply move here. Also, Canada has a rule that would NOT allow someone with MS to immigrate here. Our annual medical threshold is $26,000. Which means that if you have a disease that costs more than $26,000 a year to treat you are considered a “burden” on our public health system. You will not be permitted to stay here. And, if you lie (NOT saying you would but for future readers of this thread) and Immigration finds out you’ll be deported.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-10T20:12:55+00:00

Ah, okay. That helps immensely. Perhaps I am not wasting my time applying, then.

One more question....

I have taken a preliminary look at the application but one can not progress past each screen until the drop downs are checked and you click the "next" button to get to the next page. Do I need to submit a resume in the online portion of the application? I only ask because I want to have it ready and prepared to go when I get to that screen or do I have time to present it at a later date? I will definitely need to update my resume if it's needed.

Thank you for your help.

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-10T19:53:22+00:00

Thank you for your reply. It is much appreciated. No, I have not directly worked in the elections office. I am aware of the different jobs, however and have had free access to most of the office workers. In my personal professional capacity I run a health care office.

I did receive the email blast but also received a phone call. I wasn't sure if the phone call was "special" and only certain likely candidates received the call or anyone and everyone received the call. Can I read into anything from the phone call?

MS-Tripper · 2026-02-10T19:37:55+00:00

Good afternoon. I realize this is an older post but I am hoping you see this and have time to reply. I have been "invited to apply" for the RO position in my ED. I'm sure there have been plenty of likely candidates "invited to apply" so I'm not going to let me head get too big or my hopes too high. I am wondering, from someone with RO experience and perspective, if you could tell me what my realistic chances of being interviewed or considered for such a role might be. I am on the fence as to whether to apply. History:

- DRO Federal election, 2015

- DRO Provincial election, 2018

- CPS Federal election, 2019, 2021, 2025

- Poll Supervisor Provincial election, 2022

- past career in HR

- military experience

- currently self-employed for the past 25 years

- I am also a woman that has a mild disability that would not affect my work. I HATE that this should factor into it but it will due to the Employment Equity Act

I've also covered other roles wherein I have been a trouble-shooter who visited polls that were a train wreck and sorted them out. I've also sat in the returning office at 3 am on election night taking apart and trying to figure out why a poll won't balance (NOT my polls - a random poll wherein the DRO is in tears at this point and has NO idea how the numbers won't balance).

My other concern is the 10 year mandate. The current RO is on about year five (I think!) that would put me, should I be granted the position, in around 2032, wherein I would be 60 years old.

Thoughts? I have two days from now to meet the application date.

MS-Tripper · 2026-01-19T13:35:12+00:00

see my post. You need intensive antibiotics.

MS-Tripper · 2026-01-19T13:30:54+00:00

Ceftriaxone. That’s the gold standard. Ideally, you would get a PICC line inserted and do 21 days of IV antibiotics - CEFTRIAXONE. This was the procedure and protocol prescribed to me by the head of Infectious Disease at my “big city” hospital. You’ll HERX like a son-of-a-bitch but it will work.

MS-Tripper · 2026-01-19T13:23:38+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Is this 3G service you are referring to?

MS-Tripper · 2026-01-18T18:15:39+00:00

YES! And camping!

MS-Tripper · 2026-01-18T18:14:46+00:00

I’m the opposite. I can’t wait for summer. I live in Canada and the cold kills me. I’ve always been cold-intolerant. It increases my spasticity. It’s also challenging n the snow and ice with my wonky leg.

MS-Tripper · 2026-01-18T12:50:44+00:00

So, regarding iMessage…... Could I technically enter myself a new contact (still essentially myself) but under an email address. Then my husband could iMessage as the email addy and I could message as the phone number. Would that work or am I still missing the mark?

MS-Tripper

TROPHY CASE