Angie,
I know the fear of going to meetings where lots of people are in wheelchairs. But let me just say this: I don't know what the statistics are but I have been in & out of a wheelchair a couple of times, used a walker for a time, used a cane. I have had MS for at least 35 yrs. Presently I can walk without the cane but I can't walk for long periods of time. I am a little unsteady because of dizziness but my legs are strong. I don't know what the future holds but at this point in time I am doing fine. I figure if the good Lord wants me to be walking when I'm 80, then I will be able to walk until then. But if I have to be in a wheelchair, there are lots of people in wheelchairs who do good in the world. So never give up. Do what you can & if you can't do certain things, then find something else you can do to keep going. I have learned to do lots of things that I never would have considered before I found out I had MS. I was a biker, hiker, camper type. I got really scared & depressed when I thought I might not be able to do those things anymore. But eventually I found other interests & learned how to do other things that make me feel productive. Hope this helps.

my grandmother was in a wheelchair the last 45 years of her life.my aunt is in her 70s and very rarely uses a cane.my uncle is in his 50s and has a slight limp-my cousin almost 55 was in a wheelchair for 6 months 3 years ago but walks great now and works 12 hour days.myself 38 and m.s. 7 years use a cane off and on and avoid any lengthly walking.so out of the 5 m.s.ers in my family having m.s. for 7 to 60 years(3 @20 years) only one of us has had permanent use of wheelchair and most of her life they didn't have the medications they have now to halt the progression.m.s. is not an absolute sentance to a wheelchair

well in mycase 3 years ago I used a cane then moved to a walker,now I'm in a wheelchar full time

Thanks for your responses. I guess if it happens someday..I'll just have to roll with the changes..Get it? Roll with..ahh..nevermind..Im tired and goofy

aye, I get around the house and yard just fine, use a cane when I go to the local store or a restaurant, and use a wheelchair if going to the mall or any big wholesale warehouse store or am going to be walking long distances. it just helps me not get too fatigued too fast so I can enjoy the outings with my wife.
Peace
Fred

my ot ordered me a wheelchair
when i was dx, it's just been sitting here for 2 years. i hate the site of it. i want my husband to put it in the shed.
he's afraid it will get ruined but i don't care. hosp told me if i use it i'll never get out of it.and to hold off.

I was dx'd almost 4 yrs ago and went from a walking by myself to cane by the 2 nd yr, walker, not wheelchair in public and cane in the house. But like you said yourself, MS affects everyone differently.
Hugs
Morgaine