Work and Identity

Who Am I Now?

Before MS, work was more than a job, it was part of who I was. I was a kitchen fitter, I was good at and I was proud of it. It gave me purpose, routine, and a sense of identity.

When MS came along, it flipped that on its head. Suddenly, the things I could once do without thinking became mountains to climb, and I had to face the painful question, Who am I without the work I once knew?

Losing the ability to work in the same way felt like losing a part of myself. It wasn’t just about money or routine, it was about pride. It was about being the provider, the one people could rely on and when that changes, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost value.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to realise work isn’t the only thing that defines me.

MS forced me to dig deeper, to find identity beyond a payslip or a title. I’ve learned that being a dad, a husband, a writer, a voice for others living this battle, that’s work too. It might not fit into a 9-to-5 but it matters just as much, maybe even more.

It’s not easy letting go of who I was to become who I am now. Some days it still stings but I remind myself daily that my worth isn’t tied to what I can physically do.

My worth is in how I live, how I love, laugh and how I fight back against the challenges thrown at me.

That’s identity MS can’t take away.

#MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSAwareness #inthistogether #beneaththetracksuit