We’ve all talked to that one friend or family member who just doesn’t get what MS is. Whether they freak out and think you it’s a death sentence or completely underestimate your symptoms, it’s frustrating not knowing how to explain your disease. I’ve figured out 3 ways to explain MS to someone who doesn’t understand. Keep them in your back pocket for the next time your normal explanation just doesn’t cut it. (Oh, and don’t forget to let them know the ways they can help someone with MS.)

MS Is Like Having a Bad Cell Phone Carrier

“MS changes the way that my brain communicates with the rest of my body. Sometimes, the signals get crossed or drowned out completely. If I get cold, I may feel pain as well or sometimes my memory won’t be able to recall things as well as usual. Just like a bad phone carrier’s static and dropped calls, these symptoms aren’t always present. They may come and go, and I never know exactly when they will strike or how long they will last. Still, I’ve learned that some things (like eating bad foods or not getting enough sleep) make me more likely to have symptoms in the same way that being in a valley or a large concrete building may decrease cell signal.”

MS Is Like a Box of Chocolates…

“Every day is different, and I never know what my symptoms are going to be like. I wake up some days feeling like a rockstar, ready to take on the world. Other days, I can hardly get out of bed.”

MS Is Like An Annoying Distant Relative

“You know that one relative who drives you crazy? It’s kinda like that. You’ll be sitting there at Thanksgiving dinner having a wonderful time, and then out of nowhere, you can’t remember how to turn your phone on silent even though you do it every day when you go to work. My symptoms come out of nowhere (rarely at an opportune time), but eventually they usually subside.”

Regardless of how you explain MS, try to stay positive. Your attitude while you explain MS is just as important as what you say. Maintaining a positive attitude is key to combating the stigmas of MS.