Living with Multiple Sclerosis as a former marathon runner: Impact of attitude and past behaviour on self-care maintenance and perseverance

Abstract

As healthcare professionals, we have a duty to promote the wellbeing of individuals living with chronic diseases and this could be accomplished through the establishment of self-care strategies that are both collaborative and self-directed. Insight into the complex behaviours and backgrounds of individuals who show initiative in dealing with chronic disease could help achieve this by revealing drivers of health-seeking and engaging behaviours. Therefore, by deducing the complex interactions between attitude, past experiences and disease outlook, broader patient welfare could be championed through the implementation of targeted interventions which promote self-care in chronic disease. This article aims to explore these ideas by focusing on the story of a former marathon runner and proactive secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis sufferer, Mr. Evans, who has taken charge in leading an active and healthy lifestyle to manage his condition. His sense of patience and self-worth are rooted in his attitude and upbringing and are factors which have championed his ongoing wellbeing and understanding of his condition.