When I was first diagnosed with MS, I was clueless. I went into the doctor's office hoping for answers to my many questions. Instead, he was silent, did a bunch of tests that I had been through before, and then asked me if I had anyone in my family with MS. I told him my aunt had it. "Great! Then, you know all about it I'll see you again in 6 months." He turned and walked out of the room. Wow, what an experience for me. Was he ever wrong about me knowing ALL about it!
After sixteen years of dealing with countless doctors, I have learned to speak up. And I've also learned that knowledge is power. Those who know you want you to share your ideas, share your knowledge. But sometimes your 'brains' can be a bad thing if you let them swell your EGO.
My mother works at a university and many of those with learning take it to extremes. They think they are better than those around them. Sometimes to the point of walking on others who actually help make the world go round. It is never good to take the power knowledge has to offer and use it to squash others with it.
But, I want to talk about the good the power of knowledge can do--of how it can help you get out of a rut. Maybe you're feeling sorry for yourself? Maybe you are afraid of something? Maybe you think you don't know anything? Well, I am telling knowledge can fix all of that.
When I left that 'lovely' doctor's office years ago, I was in a daze. I remember wandering down the glass-lined hall of this huge hospital looking out on the clear June day thinking life was over for me. I didn't know a thing about MS other than my aunt HAD it. That was it--nothing more. But with each passing month and each passing doctors' visits, I learned more. I became obsessed with wanting to know how I could stay healthy longer and not become 'stuck' in a wheelchair OR bed-ridden OR any of the other things I was told was going to happen to me by 'well-meaning' people. I became knowledgeable. And with this knowledge came power to help myself.
I've seen others who were freshly diagnosised and they became what I was at the beginning--dazed and confused. I knew in the beginning I didn't want to be approached AT ALL; I just wanted to curl up in my shell. And so, while other well-meaning people rushed in to these dazed-newbies, both my husband and I contacted their care-givers. I told them I had MS and knew what the family was going through--first hand. We told them when the newbie was ready to talk (and it could be months), I would be there. We gave them websites and phone numbers of who to call in case they had a quack-of-a-doctor like mine. The caregiver was very appreciative.
Then, we sat back and waited. I sent a card or email just letting the person know I knew how terrible it was, but I never pushed. The caregiver would come to me and ask questions and want to know more. I would answer. And the day would come that the newbie would call me and we would talk--sometimes for hours--while she/he would gain the knowledge needed to carry on.
Knowledge is a great thing if used for the benefit for others. Just recently I have been working with the county extension as a horticulture assistant. I love working with all things garden related. I have been doing this for almost 10 years now, giving garden talks, diagnosing lawn and plant problems, helping others with issues while they are venturing in the great green unknown of soil-hood. But, I still don't know everything. There are several of us that work there and we are always asking each other things, studying, learning.
Yesterday, while I was working, I had many people calling in with problems and questions. Some were easy and some were hard. Some I had to do research on. Others, I had to send on to people who had greater knowledge than I. Some people were thankful. Others told me they didn't think I was right and want to know if there was some one else they could talk to. One lady called in and after talking with her, I found out she had talked to everyone in this office, the office in the next county, and the university office. She knew everyone by name and their titles. She was just trying to get someone to give her the answer she wanted. And we all gave her the same answer.
That is the thing with knowledge. You will always have those who don't think you know what you are talking about. You will have those that don't care. You will have ones that don't listen and need to learn on their own (like your children). But, the knowledge you obtain is for YOU! It is to help you grow. If others want you to share your knowledge, then share it, offer it. But don't be offended if they turn it down or tell you they think you are wrong. It is their decision. But remember in all of your knowledge learning, don't let you ego take over. Everyone is needed to make the world go round.
