Guest Voice: What ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ teaches us about living with MS
Like the film's protagonist, my life today is smaller than I imagined

Donald Kushner considers parallels between life with MS and that of the main character in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” (Courtesy of Donald Kushner)
Donald Kushner, MD, is a retired physician, board certified in internal medicine and hospice and palliative care. He has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than 20 years and draws on his dual perspective as both doctor and patient to explore illness, identity, and adaptation. He’s writing a book about how people with chronic illness and their support systems can better understand — and talk to — each other.
I’m sitting on the sofa with my black cat curled in my lap. Her slow, steady breath anchors me to the moment.
Over the years, as I’ve stumbled down the stairwell of MS, I’ve had plenty of darker days. On some of them, I’ve asked myself: Is it really a wonderful life?
And then I think of George Bailey, the main character in the 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
George had big dreams: to see the world, to hear the clang of anchor chains, the roar of plane engines, the whistle of distant trains. But life had other plans.
When he jumped into a frozen pond to save his younger brother, George lost hearing in one ear — a small but permanent loss. One he learned to live with. Over time, more losses followed: His father died, the savings and loan association his family owned nearly collapsed, and his future narrowed into a leaky house, three kids, and a life far smaller than he’d imagined.
Looming in the background was Mr. Potter. Wealthy and unrelenting, Potter owned nearly everything in Bedford Falls except George’s heart. That looming threat feels familiar — like MS, always hovering just offstage, reshaping the story without asking permission.
George adjusted. Not because he wanted to, but because he had to.
He had moments of quiet frustration. I think of the scene where a wealthy friend drops by just as George hands over the keys to a modest house to a young family. George smiles, but you can see the disappointment behind his eyes. That flicker, that ache of a life smaller than we imagined, is one many of us with illness quietly carry.
Still, George wasn’t alone. His wife, Mary, was always there. Steady. Supportive. Never far away.
And when he reached his lowest point, convinced the world would be better without him, his friends and family didn’t mention missed adventures. They reminded him of what mattered: connection, community, being seen.
A life of worth
I glance around the room. My rollator, unused for years, sits in the corner. My wheelchair — now my only way to move from room to room — waits beside my favorite chair so I can transfer easily. The sounds of train whistles and distant places have quieted. They feel like memories more than possibilities.
And yet, not everything has gone silent.
George’s story reminds me that resilience often shows up in ordinary moments. That the life we’ve built — even with detours — is still a life of worth.
I reach down and stroke the soft fur of the cat in my lap.
Like George’s youngest daughter, her name is Zuzu.
Really.
Maybe what makes life wonderful isn’t what we accomplish, but who walks with us when things get hard. Who steadies us. Who sees us when we forget how to see ourselves.
Maybe you’ve had your own “George and Mary” moment — complete with missing petals, last straws, or jars that nearly cracked. Whether you’re the one in the chair or the one doing laps around it, I’d love to hear what this brought up for you. No need to be profound. Sometimes, just saying, “Yep, us, too,” is enough. Share if you feel like it. We’re all figuring this out together
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,Cynthia MacFarlane
Thanks... Well said!
Robert A. Zinn
Made me cry, but thankful for all I have. Be well,
MattW
Thank you for drawing such a wonderful comparison to my favorite movie. It is a Wonderfull Life, even with MS!
Linda Richardson
Just looking for a glimmer of hope .
Mary Ellen Miller
What a profound, beautifully written piece. It points out things I know but never could have articulated as well as he did. It also made me think about this movie, which Ive seen dozens of times, differently. I look forward to reading Dr. Kushner’s book.
Tracey
I believe a traumatic event triggered my MS, although it was probably around for years as backpain, persistent depression, and one episode of freezing in place for about 30 seconds. Later, approximately April 2019 after 9pm, there was a storm in my nothern California city. There was very cold rain and 40 mile per hour wind. I had befriended a semi feral cat and her 5 young kittens who had recently started sheltering in a hole my yard. I remembered being so concerned, I took a water proof sheet off of my bed and draped it over a plant they were huddled under. The poor things were soaked. I shortly opened my garage and let them in. The rest is history. They became like family. However, that night I laid on the bed unable to move. It lasted for a few minutes. That's when I knew something was really wrong. I sought diagnosis and possible treatment. Unfortunately, before I could follow through a dear friend died and my mom had a stroke. I focused on her care for another year or so before getting treatment. I'm still walking, but it's getting harder and harder. I'm trying to exercise, but that's getting harder too, both in motivation and in action. Life is challenging but I do what I can, for my cats, myself and others. Prayer and hope in God's promises of a wonderful future keeps me going.
Melinda Herron
I agree totally!! My husband is the reason MS doesn’t have Me!! He’GOD ‘s physical help for Me! Constantly here for Me!! We’ve been married 51 years & I’ve had Ms for 32 years, so a lot of time with this normal for us!’
Karen Rivera
Thank you for your thoughtful post. Sometimes I feel like George. I had such a tenacity for dreaming big and persistence towards making my goals come true. I was able to accomplish a M.S. degree, become a mother but I found myself frustrated longing for that person. I wanted to be able to push through, work harder, balance work & family, strive for a Ph.D. and then MS showed me I had new constraints beyond what my will, work ethic or perseverance. I couldn't will this away and the frustration set in with every attempt to dream beyond the present. At this point I celebrate the triumphs as they come. I've relearning how to dream granted with a healthy dose of cautious optimism. My new goals are in focusing on the gift of my legacy of family and my daughter. I cherish working in my profession for as long as I'm able and stopped making myself frustrated. I'm fluid and that has given me peace. Working in Healthcare has been a double edge sword...the setting brings out my symptoms but it so fulfilling. It's a loss for sure but life is funny that way...the irony doesn't escape me. Wishing everyone the best in their MS journey. 👌 👍 😍
Lori
This is my favorite movie. Appreciate the parallels that you presented to living with MS. Thank you!
Heather Buckridge
What’s hard for me is that my husband had big plans for us, and I can see his disappointment and frustration with how his life turned out. It’s to the point that I want to avoid him, and not be a burden on him, which he dutifully denies. I am so sad, and honestly not much fun to be around. Thank you for sharing.