Matthias' Story: Living and Thriving with MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chameleon of a disease, changing its face daily, challenging you in unexpected ways, and ultimately teaching you more about yourself than you could have imagined. Matthias knows this all too well. His journey with MS is not just about a diagnosis; it’s a story of resilience, humor, and the determination it takes to keep moving forward.
It all began in 1997 when, while crossing a street, his legs suddenly disappeared beneath him. Alarmed, he went to see his doctor, hoping to find out what had happened that day. Matthias was suspected of having MS with further check-ups to follow, leaving him still with some hope. Although he continued skiing, climbing, cycling, and even volunteering in the fire department’s special unit, life wasn't like it used to be. "It wasn't the “maybe” diagnosis, but the look in my family's eyes that was the hardest part."
"It wasn't the “maybe” diagnosis, but the look in my family's eyes that was the hardest part."
Looking back now, Matthias grins to his early attempts to outrun MS. “I tried to keep going like nothing had changed,” he says, “but my body kept reminding me that it had.” Slowly, his endurance weakened, and the once effortless activities began to demand more and more from him. By 2017, he gets increasingly dependent on the wheelchair, which became his new reality.

But here is the thing about Matthias: he doesn’t let the wheelchair define him. “The chair is the easy part,” he says with a smile. “It’s the invisible challenges, such as spasticity, bladder issues, pain, and fatigue, that are the real battle.” However, even on the hardest days, Matthias tries to keep his sense of humor. For Matthias, falling is not just a physical challenge; it’s a metaphor for life. “Before I can get back up, I need a moment to recoordinate my body. It’s like a tipped-over fruit basket,” he jokes. “Everything spills out, and it takes time to gather it all back.”

Despite everything, Matthias continues to live boldly. One of his proudest moments was completing a 1.8 km Jogathlon with the help of a robotic exoskeleton/Myosuit. “It took me three hours,” he beams, “but I did it!”
For Matthias, staying active is about more than exercise, it’s about feeling alive. A ride through nature on his recumbent bike can turn a tough day into something bearable. It’s also his time of independence, a moment when he doesn’t have to rely on anyone else. He can still ride on his own, and that freedom means everything. Monthly self-help group meetings provide not only a sense of community but also a sense of purpose. And while photography can be more challenging from a wheelchair, he refuses to give up on capturing the world from his unique perspective.
“Don’t face it alone. Talk to your doctor, join a self-help group, and connect with the MS Society. It’s about building a team to face challenges together.”
He finds hope in contributing to research through the Swiss MS Cohort and other RC2NB ongoing studies, believing, “If my experience can help someone else, why wouldn’t I share it?” His advice to newly diagnosed patients is to seek support: “Don’t face it alone. Talk to your doctor, join a self-help group, and connect with the MS Society. It’s about building a team to face challenges together.” Matthias sums up his journey with this: “Take it slow; I’m in a hurry.” Every day is a challenge, but he pushes forward one step, one laugh, and one win at a time.
© RC2NB 2025
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