How To Share Your Story As An MS Advocate
How To Share Your Story As An MS Advocate
There’s never been a better time to become an MS advocate, influencer, blogger, vlogger, Tiktoker, ’grammer, podcaster, whatevs. Until relatively recently, the main resources for people looking to learn about an MS diagnosis were medical professionals and nationally recognized non-profit organizations. But patients are experts in a way that doctors, drug companies, and MS Societies could never be, and first-hand experience is an essential part of understanding any chronic illness. Social media has become a powerful platform where advocates can help shape an uncensored and nuanced picture of what it really means to live with MS.
MS advocacy and story-telling can:
- Help family, friends, and coworkers better understand the impact of MS
- influence donations and social change
- alleviate feelings of loneliness by facilitating connections with others who ‘get it’
- encourage information sharing that may be helpful for managing and understanding MS
When you’re living in a body that feels like it’s calling all the shots, it can be empowering to take ownership of your story. If you’re ready to share your unique expertise, here are some of the tools in my MS influencer kit:
Be niche
I may write about diet, fashion, and travel, but they’re all through the lens of MS. I won’t post random pictures of my dog being cute. Everyone’s dog is cute. I will post about the curious reaction I used to get when people saw a disabled woman taking her three-legged dog for a hop. I make my post about MS. If you’ve decided to become an advocate for your chronic illness, you’ve already identified your niche. But, is there a niche within your niche? Perhaps it’s moms with MS, or the LGBTQ community and MS, or paediatric MS. If you can dream it, there’s an audience for it.
Find your voice
Develop a strong point of view and lean into it. Figure out what’s unique about you and your story. Be truthful without writing what you think people want to hear–you can’t write for everyone. Authentic stories are better than sugar-coated ones.
Create quality content
Creating excellent content is the most important element to being a successful MS advocate. Be knowledgeable about your subject matter. Fact-check everything you publish, and be careful not to spread false information. Pay attention to grammar and spelling. Credibility is key.
Establish good habits
Readers make better writers. And so does practice. Get in the habit of writing every day, even if it’s just a few lines in a journal. A daily self-analysis can help you become a boss at articulating your life with MS.
Set boundaries
You own your story and it’s yours to tell. The more personal and vulnerable you can be, the more your content will resonate. However, only share what you’re comfortable with. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Would I be okay if this were published in the New York Times?” If you’re not cool with your worst enemy reading about your bladder problem, don’t write about it.
Keeping up with social media, posting, and interacting can be exhausting. Remember that you have a chronic illness and set boundaries. Late night screen time can disrupt sleep and your ability to wind down.
Build your audience
Post regularly. Use hashtags. Be active on more than one platform, and vary your content as much as possible. Look for opportunities to guest blog. Contact MS organizations who are always looking for patient stories. Interview other MS advocates. If they share your work it will drive a broader audience to your channels.
Don’t post and ghost
Engage with the MS community. Comment thoughtfully and regularly on similar blogs and content. Follow back and make an effort to respond to everyone who comments or messages you.
Embrace the competition
There’s only one you. The internet is a vast and infinitely expanding space, and there’s plenty of room for all good story-tellers. Curating and sharing your community’s quality content positions you as an expert in your niche, so share generously. Remember, everyone’s MS is different. You’re not here to speak for MS. You’re here to speak for your MS.
If you have MS, you’ve got a unique story to tell and I want to hear about it! Please share your advocacy in the comments.
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MS is a heroic journey
I know
I can help you go through that journey to the other side ?
My MS blog can be found at http://www.gettingalongwithmissy.com and a memoir on Amazon also with the title of Getting Along with MiSsy.
I have many stories that revolve around M. S. And my life, living with it, now for forty four years. Some would say I have a vivid imagination.
Life. The word Death, at age 25, not. Prison time, no, it was not me. I was the one who escaped
I have so much to share
Spill it!
Marion Fuller. 44 years! I’m at over 40 years. I’m looking for people living with MS for that long who are in their 80’s like me. Is it MS or old age? Where are the gerontologists? Neurologists don’t know what to do with me. How do we continue to live well with this chronic mess and die well? Death is not a topic of discussion in our Society. A good non MS site is Speaking of Dying. Living deeply and dying well.
Thanks for sharing Marion. It sounds like you have a lot of knowledge that would be helpful on this subject.
Hi Edie….I am not 80 yet. I am 70+. I too have lived with MS since I was 40. I am now SPMS. Last time I saw my neuro. She told me my new lesions were due to my age and there was nothing she could do for me. Needless to say I rolled out in tears and felt as though I had been trashed cause I was aging. I never went back. Me, my MS, my HOPE has been tossed in the trash along with my heart. Yes, I have lived in a chair for 6 years. I really feel worthless and have to ask WHY am I still here. Thanks for listening. I am sure you have your own MS journey. ?
Oh Cynthia, I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing your experience and reaching out. Can you see another neurologist? I have had to “shop around” to find one that I like. Take care, hug
Oh Cynthia, I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing your experience and reaching out. Can you see another neurologist? I have had to “shop around” to find one that I like. Take care, hug
I chair the Government Relations Advisory Committee for the National MS Society in Georgia. I didn’t quite understand the power of my MS story until I testified for the first time in Georgia about Step Therapy. I have given testimony three times, meet with our state and federal legislators about issues affecting the MS community, and serve on the Board of Trustees. Each one of us is the resident expert on our individual MS; each one of our individual stories has the power to educate, influence, make change.
Fantastic. Thanks for sharing Kristine.
My M.S. diagnosis came a little over 9 years ago. Since then I’ve learned a lot about it and how it affects me. I started a blog as an outlet and connection to others that are seeking information, laughter or just another person that understands. Shortly after I started the blog, which has little to no information on it, I found you. That’s when I realized my vision was already alive, well and named Ardra. I hope that I can blossom into a better writer and M.S. advocate. I continue to follow you and pick up your pieces of shared wisdom. Thank you for writing this story. Hopefully one day there will be many more M.S. advocates helping others along the journey.
Congrats on your blog! I hope you keep writing! And thanks so much for your kind words about TOA.