I live with a disease that worsens with stress. I 'lean out' when I can, but I can't avoid it all.

The writer, who has multiple sclerosis, describes how stress can leave her weak and fatigued. When her young son suffered a serious cut in 2019, fear affected her body as she rushed him to hospital.

Family milestones and medical crises have also brought on symptoms. Before her son’s 2024 bar mitzvah, she worried she would not have the strength to dance. That year, her husband’s unexpected colon cancer diagnosis and surgery triggered another flare.

She tries to manage stress by taking on less work, limiting school volunteering and asking for help when family activities become too much. Her household hires a cleaner, and the family avoids a crowded social schedule.

She is also learning to decline requests and distance herself from relationships that create unnecessary strain. These steps help, but she says they cannot protect her from the stress of a loved one’s illness or her children’s important moments.

The writer says she wants to remain present for her family even when stress worsens her condition. Her account highlights the limits of stress management for someone living with a disease affected by stress.