Welcome back to Cool With A Cane! Let me ask you something—what does cool mean to you?

When my daughter asked me that very question, I paused. Not because I didn’t have an answer, but because my definition of cool had completely changed. I used to think being cool meant having the latest clothes, smooth one-liners, or walking into a room like I owned it.

But that was before I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Redefining Cool with MS

When I first heard “MS,” the word cool was nowhere in my vocabulary. I felt broken, defeated, and honestly, scared. MS shook my identity and introduced a new chapter I never asked for. I wasn’t thinking about confidence or swagger—I was just trying to survive another day.

But then, something wild happened. Somewhere between the doctor visits, the fatigue, and the days I couldn’t move the way I used to—I found myself.

With MS, I am unable to run.

But why run… when I can fly?

That’s the kind of cool I never saw coming.

Cool Is Confidence, Not Perfection

Cool isn’t about popularity or perfection. It’s about confidence, independence, resilience, and open-mindedness. And you know what? Those weren’t things I picked up in high school—they were forged in the fire of my disability. They grew stronger every time I stood up—literally and figuratively—when life tried to knock me down.

I didn’t feel cool until I had MS.

Let that sink in.

Mobility Aids and Power Moves

This disability made me bold. It taught me how to live with intention. I learned to embrace my body, even when it moved slower. I learned to speak up for myself, even when it made people uncomfortable. I learned to love my mobility aids—not as a symbol of limitation but as a key to freedom.

Cool is wearing your story like armor, not shame.

Exceeding the Bar Others Set

People often underestimate those of us with multiple sclerosis. They assume weakness. But I’ve made it a personal mission to exceed the bar they set for me. Every. Single. Time.

Whether I’m showing up with my cane, cracking jokes during infusions, or lifting others up with my story—I am rewriting what cool looks like with a disability.

You’re Already Cool

Cool With A Cane isn’t just a catchy name. It’s a reminder that we define ourselves. Not our diagnosis. Not our symptoms. Not even the days when MS tries to steal the spotlight.

So, what does cool mean to you?

To me, it means showing up fully. It means walking slower but shining brighter. It means using mobility aids with pride and living life on my own terms.

If you’ve ever felt like your disability disqualified you from being cool—let me be the first to tell you:

You’re already there. You’re already cool!

Cool as a cat. That’s me.

And that can be you, too.