Mason, my oldest son, overheard me and my brother talking about my aunt Loretta and MS. When he asked why he had never met her, we told him that she passed away due to complications of multiple sclerosis. He became very emotional over this, not wanting to lose me the same way my cousins lost Loretta (see video).
This got me thinking about what being a dad with MS meant to me. In 2005 when I was first diagnosed, I was non-functional from the waist down. In my deepest, darkest moments in my hospital bed and recovery, I thought that intimacy in my life was over and that I would never live my dream of being a dad.
Two years later, my dreams came true when Jocelyn gave birth to our first son Mason. We were blessed with our second son, Colby, two years later. Because of the challenge MS caused us in trying to conceive, I feel that MS has made me a better father. The following slideshow are all captions of what being a dad with MS means to me:
Happy Father’s Day!
Being a dad with MS means you’re fatigued but you don’t mind sharing your bed
Being a dad with multiple sclerosis makes the change of each season more memorable
Being a dad with MS means that nap time may not be an individual activity
Being a dad with MS means that personal space does not exist
Being a dad with MS means making your favorite stories come to life
Being a dad with MS means everyday is a new adventure
Being a dad with MS means letting them find their own way, but never being far behind
Being a dad with MS means letting them take your hand and show you the way
Being a dad with MS means that you are their super hero even if sometimes you feel like a joker
Being a dad with MS means a day at the ballpark is one they’ll never forget
Being a dad with MS brings new meaning to aquatic exercise
Being a dad with MS means grocery shopping is an adventure
Being a dad with multiple sclerosis makes ice cream taste a little better
Being a dad with MS means you appreciate the tender moments a little more
Being a dad with MS means sharing your love of the game
Being a dad with MS means to laugh at the little things
Being a dad with MS means coaching my boys in more than sports
4 thoughts on “What Being a Dad with MS Means to Me”
Cheryl
Amazing video! That little guy is so articulate!
You are so fortunate to have your boys.
Happy Fathers Day!
Matt Cavallo
Thank you Cheryl! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Mary
You are a lucky man to have such a wonderful wife and the kids.
I like to see people like us find some happiness in life when it is clearly hard to find.
Amazing video! That little guy is so articulate!
You are so fortunate to have your boys.
Happy Fathers Day!
Thank you Cheryl! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
You are a lucky man to have such a wonderful wife and the kids.
I like to see people like us find some happiness in life when it is clearly hard to find.
Thank you Mary! I am definitely a lucky man 🙂