World MS Day 2026 carries the theme “My MS Diagnosis” alongside the message “Navigating MS Together.”
As someone who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for 19 years, I felt called to sit down and openly share my own journey — not just the physical symptoms and medical diagnosis, but the emotional, energetic and spiritual layers that unfolded alongside it.
I was diagnosed with MS in December 2007 after experiencing numbness in my legs, fatigue and sensory disturbances. Like many people living with chronic illness, the diagnosis didn’t happen overnight. There were doctor visits, confusion, fear and moments of knowing something was wrong before there were answers.
Over the years, my symptoms have included numbness, tingling, balance issues, vertigo, foot drop, cognitive struggles, bladder and bowel issues, anxiety, depression and deep fatigue. One thing I have consistently noticed throughout my journey is how closely my symptoms are connected to stress, overwhelm and emotional overload.
For me, MS has never been purely physical.
It became a doorway into understanding the deeper relationship between the body, emotions, energy and lifestyle.
The Early Years After Diagnosis
When I was first diagnosed, I was overwhelmed.
I had only recently gotten married. I hadn’t yet had my child. Suddenly, I was hearing words like disability, degeneration and uncertainty. Like many people newly diagnosed with MS, I initially chose the conventional medical path — daily Copaxone injections, specialist appointments and trying to simply cope emotionally with what was happening.
Around that time, I was introduced to the Overcoming MS (OMS) lifestyle created by Professor George Jelinek. But honestly? I couldn’t even open the book properly for years.
The thought of changing my entire lifestyle felt impossible at the time.
Eventually, after years of resistance, I attended an OMS retreat. Looking back, it became one of the biggest turning points of my life. Spending time with others navigating similar challenges helped me realise how deeply lifestyle, stress, mindset, movement and nourishment affect our wellbeing.
That retreat planted seeds that eventually led me toward the work I now do today.
How Energy Healing Became Part of My Journey
My MS diagnosis was ultimately what led me into energy healing.
As I explored meditation, healing sessions, yoga, chi gong and spiritual practices, I began noticing that healing wasn’t just about symptom management. There were emotional patterns, energetic blocks and unresolved stress responses stored within the body.
I also began recognising something I had experienced my whole life — an ability to feel emotional and energetic patterns within others.
Over time, this evolved into the intuitive healing work I now offer through Inspired Robyn: helping people clear emotional layers, energetic blocks, stress patterns and unresolved experiences that may be affecting their physical, emotional or spiritual wellbeing.
Every person’s journey is different, just as every MS diagnosis is different.
Stress, Empathy & The Nervous System
One thing I’ve consistently observed — both personally and through working with others — is how deeply sensitive many people with chronic illness can be.
Many of us are carers, helpers, people-pleasers or highly empathetic individuals. We absorb stress. We overextend ourselves. We push through exhaustion.
And eventually, the body says enough.
Whenever I experience heightened conflict, emotional stress or overwhelm, I notice my symptoms become louder. Fatigue intensifies. Anxiety increases. Nervous system shakiness appears. Old symptoms can flare.
Learning how to regulate my energy, create boundaries and prioritise peace became essential parts of my healing journey.
The Role of Lifestyle Changes
Over time, I made significant changes to my diet, movement practices and daily routines.
Not perfectly — and certainly not overnight — but progressively.
I explored:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Chi gong
- Breathwork
- Reformer Pilates
- Nervous system regulation
- Nature immersion
- Mindfulness practices
- Spiritual development
- Energy healing
- Dietary changes inspired by OMS and Medical Medium teachings
One major area I became interested in was the connection between Epstein-Barr Virus and MS. Learning about viral load, inflammation and supportive dietary practices shifted many things for me physically.
Was it easy? Absolutely not.
Changing lifelong habits, emotional coping mechanisms and family food dynamics can be incredibly confronting. But I also experienced meaningful improvements in my energy, clarity and resilience over time.
Spiritual Practice & Healing
One of the strongest messages that came through during my World MS Day reflection was the importance of spiritual practice.
Not religion necessarily — but connection.
Connection to self.
Connection to stillness.
Connection to peace.
For me, spiritual practice has looked like:
- Meditation
- Crystal singing bowls
- Breathwork
- Prayer
- Oracle cards
- Nature walks
- Floating in water
- Yoga
- Mindful movement
- Quiet reflection
- Gratitude
- Listening inwardly
Sometimes healing begins simply by learning how to pause.
Many of us spent years living in survival mode before diagnosis. Constant pressure. Constant output. Constant stress.
MS forced me to slow down and listen to myself differently.
Relationships & Chronic Illness
Something people don’t always talk about is how much chronic illness changes relationships.
Friendships shift.
Family dynamics change.
Boundaries become necessary.
Some people understand. Others don’t.
Over the years, I’ve also realised that my intuitive work can sometimes become difficult within close personal relationships because the guidance that comes through can be deeply personal and emotionally confronting.
Not everyone is ready to hear certain truths — and that’s okay.
Healing journeys require compassion, readiness and timing.
Community Matters
One thing I would love to see more of in the future is true healing community.
Spaces where people navigating chronic illness can feel supported emotionally, spiritually and practically.
Spaces with:
- Clean nourishing food
- Healing modalities
- Emotional support
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Community connection
- Nervous system regulation
- Gentle movement
- Nature
- Rest
- Understanding
Because navigating MS can feel incredibly isolating at times.
And yet, when we share our stories openly, we realise how many experiences we have in common.
What MS Has Taught Me
Living with MS has taught me:
- To slow down
- To listen to my body
- To value peace
- To prioritise rest
- To honour my nervous system
- To create boundaries
- To seek balance over perfection
- To reconnect with myself spiritually
- To stop abandoning my own needs
I don’t claim to have “healed” MS.
But I do believe we can learn how to support ourselves more deeply.
We can create lifestyles that help us feel more connected, more empowered and more alive within our bodies.
Navigating MS Together
If you live with MS or another chronic illness, please know you are not alone.
Your journey may look different from mine.
What works for you may not work for someone else.
But there is power in sharing openly, supporting one another and creating spaces where people feel seen and understood.
For World MS Day 2026, my hope is that we continue having these conversations with honesty, compassion and curiosity.
Thank you for being here and reading my story.
(this blog post was created with the assistance of ChatGPT the content collated from my channeled YouTube podcast video recorded authentically by me, with love)
With love,
Robyn Ellis
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