Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) brings daily challenges — but working with MS adds another layer of complexity that often goes unseen. Whether it’s fatigue that strikes without warning, cognitive fog that clouds decision-making, or unpredictable mobility issues, maintaining employment can feel like walking a tightrope. Yet many people with MS continue to work, contribute, and even thrive — not by pretending everything is normal, but by redefining what multiple sclerosis employment can look like in real life This post explores the realities of working with MS and what contributes to your ability to stay productive, purposeful, and proud in a world that doesn’t always understand MS at work.
Working with MS often means adapting your environment as much as your expectations…
Working with MS — Redefining Purpose, Work, and Worth
For many people with Multiple Sclerosis, work is more than just a source of income — it’s part of their identity. But working with MS often means confronting the harsh reality that your body and brain no longer follow predictable rules. Tasks you once completed without a second thought may now require meticulous planning, longer breaks, or even a complete change in role. The transition can be emotionally bruising, especially if you’re someone who once thrived on high performance and constant motion.
I used to believe that stress sharpened my thinking. That pressure produced clarity. But MS taught me otherwise. The stress I once embraced became toxic to my system — triggering symptoms and draining my energy reserves faster than I could refill them. Understanding MS at work isn’t just about knowing your limits — it’s about learning how to reshape your work life so that it supports you rather than depletes you.
It’s worth noting that many people with MS leave their careers not by choice, but by necessity. Fatigue, pain, and cognitive challenges can create a tipping point, forcing abrupt decisions and unplanned exits. And yet, leaving one type of work doesn’t mean leaving purpose behind. For some, like me, stepping away from traditional employment opened the door to new forms of contribution — quieter perhaps, but no less valuable.
Let me share how that unfolded in my own life.
When to Quit — And When to Keep Going
There came a point in my MS journey when continuing my job as a field service engineer became not just impractical — it became unsafe. My driving licence had to be surrendered. Navigating Scotland’s terrain with limited mobility and compromised energy wasn’t just inefficient; it put others at risk. I didn’t want to quit, but I had no choice. Like many a fellow employee with MS, I was forced to let go of the life I had built, without a roadmap for what came next.
What followed was a long pause — part grief, part reinvention. At first, I missed the camaraderie, the sense of being needed, the structure of a working day. But over time, I began to see that working with MS didn’t mean I had to stop contributing. It meant I had to shift the scale. I found new rhythm in blogging, investing, and working from home. These activities allowed me to continue offering something meaningful — even if I now worked from a chair instead of a company van.
For anyone who has to support an employee with multiple sclerosis, or facing that crossroads themselves, I would say this: quitting a job is not the same as quitting on yourself. The decision to step back from employment is deeply personal, and often driven by circumstances others can’t see. But so too is the decision to keep going — just differently.
Working with MS requires us to be flexible, stubborn, and creative in equal measure. And that, in itself, is work worth doing.
Finding Support: Benefits, Accommodations, and Community
While the working world may not have been built with multiple sclerosis in mind, support does exist — if you know where to look. For me, finding that support took time, frustration, and more paperwork than I care to recall. But it’s out there — in the form of workplace accommodations, disability benefits, and a growing network of people who understand what it means to live and work with MS.
In the UK, disability benefits for MS such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Universal Credit can help offset the financial strain when full-time work is no longer possible. Navigating the system isn’t always straightforward, and it can feel like you’re being asked to prove your illness over and over. But persistence matters — because the right support can transform your quality of life.
Equally important are workplace adjustments. Reasonable MS workplace accommodations — like flexible hours, remote working, ergonomic tools, or regular rest breaks — can make the difference between staying in a job and leaving it. These MS workplace accommodations aren’t about special treatment; they’re about enabling productivity in a different way. In my case, even the use of a large screen to cope with vision issues and scheduling around energy slumps has helped me remain engaged and effective in my work-from-home life.
There’s also strength to be found in community. MS support groups, whether online or local, offer a space to talk about employment worries without judgment. Some focus on career advice; others simply offer companionship — both are valid forms of support. I didn’t join a group immediately. In fact, I resisted. But over time, I realised that being understood is a powerful remedy in itself.
Whether you’re exploring new jobs for people with multiple sclerosis or simply trying to hold on to the one you have, don’t go it alone. Use the resources available — including those from the MS Society UK and NHS Living with MS — and remember: the goal isn’t to be the same as before. It’s to be supported as you are now. …because working with MS isn’t about giving up — it’s about showing up differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard to work with multiple sclerosis?
Yes, it can be — especially when fatigue, mobility issues, or brain fog interfere with tasks others take for granted. But with the right accommodations, flexible work arrangements, and personal pacing strategies, many people continue working with MS in meaningful ways.
What kind of work can I do with MS?
The best jobs for people with multiple sclerosis are often those that allow for flexible hours, remote working, and minimal physical strain. Some thrive in creative fields, IT, writing, customer service, or even their own business ventures. The key is to find work that fits you, not the other way around.
What are the 4 types of multiple sclerosis?
There are four main types:
• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) – the most common form, with clear attacks and periods of recovery
• Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) – a later phase of RRMS with fewer relapses but more gradual worsening
• Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) – a steady progression from onset, without clear relapses
• Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) – a first episode that may or may not lead to MS diagnosis
Can you live a normal life with MS?
MS may change the definition of “normal,” but life doesn’t stop. With support, adaptation, and acceptance, many people live long, fulfilling lives. And remember — not being able to work full-time doesn’t make you workshy. You are not a benefits scrounger. You have a chronic illness, and you still want to work, if you can find a way. That willingness, in itself, is something to be proud of.
Conclusion
Working with MS is not a linear path, nor is it defined by old ideas of success. It’s a journey of adaptation — of reshaping expectations, rediscovering strengths, and staying connected to what gives your life meaning. Whether you’re forging a new career, adjusting your current role, or stepping into something completely different, working with MS means choosing to contribute on your own terms. And that, perhaps, is the most powerful kind of work there is.
