Farming, Motherhood, and MS

“Balancing farm life, motherhood, and managing MS can be tough. In the early days of my MS journey, I pushed through my symptoms and pretended I was ok. But now as a mom of three, I’ve learned that I need to slow down and reduce stress where I can. Any amount of stress or doing too much can drastically worsen my symptoms and make me “crash” for a few days.

I’ve learned to be honest with my family about how I’m feeling. If I’m not up to certain things, the kids are happy to cuddle up and read with me instead. I’m thankful for my husband, who does all the difficult things I just can’t do. We’re also trying to involve the kids in some of the farm chores, like rounding up the goats when we need to trim their hooves, collecting eggs, and cleaning the chicken coops. It’s a balance of rest and working together to get things done. Even though the chores can be hard and endless, being around my animals brings me so much joy and peace. My husband has been my biggest support, encouraging me to be open about my symptoms rather than hiding them. My kids have also been incredible. They’re my little superheroes and love to help find my cane when I misplace it, fill my vitamin organizer, bring me, a blanket, or give me a hug when I need it. I’m also lucky to have supportive parents, in-laws, and friends nearby. 

I recently stepped away from teaching because of my MS. My health and my family come first. Even though I knew it was for the best, I felt like I had lost my purpose. I began having trouble with fatigue and mobility and on one particularly bad day, my daughter held my hand as I struggled to walk from the barn to the house. She was young and full of questions because she couldn’t see my owies (as she called them). That moment inspired me to write My Mom is NOT a Superhero, a book that explains MS and invisible illness to kids. The response has been heartwarming, with readers connecting with the message that just because someone might look ok, it doesn’t mean they are. They might be fighting a battle you can’t see. 

When I attended MS Walk in Edmonton this year, I shared the book with some parents living with MS and their families. It was an emotional day filled with support, tears, and hugs. 

I hope my book will find the people who need it most. Kids can and want to help. They’re smart and know when something is wrong. A simple conversation can give them the tools and knowledge to feel important and helpful.

Since leaving my teaching job, writing has become a new passion of mine and being involved in MS Read-a-Thon has given me purpose again. MS Read-a-Thon aligns perfectly with my passion for reading and working with children. It combines my family’s love of books with raising awareness for MS. My daughter loves the idea of reading to raise money for MS research, and we’re setting a family reading goal. Reading has always been a big part of our lives. I’ve read to my kids since they were born, and now they’re just as passionate about books. We visit the library often so they can choose their own books. 

Each of my kids has different tastes in books, which makes reading time diverse and fun. My daughter, a budding fantasy enthusiast, enjoys series like The Last Firehawk by Katrina Charmin and Dragon Masters by Tracey West. She’s also developing an interest in stories about characters with disabilities—something we discuss as a family. My oldest son is drawn to non-fiction, particularly books about animals, dinosaurs, and vehicles. The Who Would Win? series by Jerry Pallotta is a favourite of his, sparking debates about which creatures would triumph in a showdown. My youngest loves humour, so funny picture books like Robert Munsch’s Zoom! and Breanna Carzoo’s Lou are big hits during story time. 

Encouraging other parents and children to participate in MS Read-a-Thon is important to me because it’s a wonderful way to get kids reading while teaching them about kindness, compassion, and helping others. The funds raised through MS Read-a-Thon make a real difference for people living with MS. 

Looking ahead, I hope to continue writing, not just picture books but also middle-grade novels that portray disabilities and differences, including MS. These stories are close to my heart, and if my work helps even one person living with MS, I’ll be forever grateful. I’m excited to keep supporting MS fundraisers and raising awareness. With ongoing research, I’m hopeful we’re close to finding a cure. 

When I found out I had MS, I shed some tears and worried about my future. At 22, the thought of needing a wheelchair terrified me the most. One thing I’ve learned through all of this is that you can still do the things you love, even with MS. It might look different, and that’s okay. Don’t stop doing what brings you joy, even if it means doing things a little slower. And remember, mobility aids aren’t something to fear—they give you the freedom to keep going.” 

For more information on Darcie, please visit her website.