Even after my MS diagnosis, camping is still the best medicine

Izzy Abbas loves to go camping, but he also enjoys traveling internationally, Here, he is shown visiting Turkey. (Photos courtesy of Izzy Abbas)

Day 11 of 31

This is Izzy Abbas’ story:

Camping — being out in the woods and mountains — is something I’ve always loved.

Despite all the doctors in my life and everything else I’ve learned about having multiple sclerosis (MS), the wilderness is still my favorite medicine. I started out as a kid romping around the Big Thompson River in Colorado, camped countless nights under the stars during a 15-year stint on a volunteer mountain rescue team, climbed a peak in Borneo, and lived outdoors during much of my time with an Army infantry unit, though we didn’t call it camping at the time.

Izzy Abbas relies on his best friend, Alex Parkhurst, to set up camp and his friend is happy to oblige.

But I hadn’t begin camping since my MS diagnosis in 2017.

I’d often wanted to go, and have driven several times with my wife into the mountains, even made my way to a panoramic spot to gaze up at the Indian Peaks, with the aspen trees just starting to turn their bright fall colors.

But I’ve been fearful of going, not because of wild animals or unpredictable weather, but because of the limitations MS imposes on me. Actually, of just one thing: getting up in the morning. The effort to get out of my sleeping bag and begin moving kept me from something I deeply love. Like most people with MS, I’m most at ease lying down. The effort to stand up and stay up takes work.

I still have tons of gear and still sometimes teach avalanche safety and awareness classes, which has just made me want to camp out even more. So I finally did it.

My best friend, Alex Parkhurst, took me camping and even though we’ve spent many a night outside, I still felt like I had to apologize because he’d have to do much of the work. That was the other worry: having to ask for help. Alex didn’t care. He was happy just to be outside and excited I was willing to go.

That first morning waking up in the mountains reminded me of something I’d ignored for far too long. The sounds of the insects and the breeze moving across aspen leaves were magical. A solitary ant making its way across the ground by the fire pit mesmerized me as it negotiated its way around blades of grass and pine needles. I cherished the warm rays of the sun on my neck and the coolness of a breeze.

I missed this. I missed it so much my eyes watered as I sat in the shade-dappled sun looking at everything around me. The deep refreshing breaths I took reminded me how the smells of the forest are more intoxicating than a sip of wine or whiskey.

We had a fantastic time and will do it again. And while I’ve let years slip by without the happy experience of camping, I won’t lose another year. Come join me, and let’s get out there in nature, fellow MSers.

In recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March, the MS Community Spotlight campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by MS, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Pinterest for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MSSpotlight, or read the full series.