Workplace Tools for Managing Multiple Sclerosis: An MS Office Toolkit
Wall Surfing (noun):
The discreet act of using walls, door frames, or furniture for balance while walking often employed by those dealing with fatigue, dizziness, or instability.
Over my 20+ year MS journey, the fine art of Wall Surfing has been one of the most valuable “invisible” MS tools in the workplace. The action is comprised of extremely subtle moves: a hand lightly brushing the wall for balance, a pause at a desk for grounding, taking the long way around the conference room to keep a hand on its chairs. On those MS days when everything is really cooking, I like to picture myself riding the pipe inside one of those massive waves in Hawaii, steady and composed, gently caressing the curve of the giant swell. It’s in those moments, that I am King Kamehameha of the Hallway, balancing strength and grace, not for show but for a singular purpose…to keep it all moving forward. The fine art Wall Surfing isn’t just a balance technique or strategy, it’s about intuition, adaption, and listening to my body. Here’s another way I’ve had to tune into my body’s signals.
Image: Statue of King Kamehameha I in Honolulu, Hawaii | Source: Wikimedia Commons
Alt text: Bronze statue of King Kamehameha I wearing a feathered cape and holding a spear, symbolizing leadership and strength.
Image: Statue of King Kamehameha I in Honolulu, Hawaii | Source: Wikimedia Commons
Alt text: Bronze statue of King Kamehameha I wearing a feathered cape and holding a spear, symbolizing leadership and strength.
Staying Balanced at Work
Unlike Kamehameha, we are probably not managing those monster waves these days…but our world can be just as challenging. Sure there’s no ocean, no board, or nasty riptides, but our long office hallways and crowded conference rooms can be just as daunting. I like to think of Wall Surfing as catching tiny little waves all day long. You’re not out there making a scene, just steadying yourself with a gentle hand on a wall, a quick lean on the counter, riding that “wave” in one step at a time. It’s so smooth and automatic that most people won’t even notice you’re using one a MS tool For you, its just another day, it’s how you remain upright, stay balanced, and keep it moving. No big wipeouts, just quiet control.
MS Tools in the Workplace
Living with MS in a professional environment requires your own specialized set of specialized MS tools in the workplace. Much like Wall Surfing, the techniques and ideas enumerated below are part of my own MS office toolkit (and…yes, we definitely should all have one), over the years it has served me quite well, saving my bacon countless times. Helping me to stay balanced and focused throughout the workday, both physically and mentally.
1. Arrive at a meeting with Intention
Arrive at meetings a few minutes early. Allowing for:
• That choice seat that provides needed support, preferably near a wall or table.
• Sitting up front close to the action for those blurry vision days.
• Taking a moment to settle and prepare before the room becomes crowded or noisy.
• That choice seat that provides needed support, preferably near a wall or table.
• Sitting up front close to the action for those blurry vision days.
• Taking a moment to settle and prepare before the room becomes crowded or noisy.
2. Control Your Exit
Be one of the last to leave meetings.
• Avoid navigating busy hallways or crowded doorways.
• You can move at your own pace. Avoiding the spectacle that is you rising out of the chair and taking your first couple of steps after that 3 hour meeting.
• Maintain a calm and steady transition to the next part of my day.
• Avoid navigating busy hallways or crowded doorways.
• You can move at your own pace. Avoiding the spectacle that is you rising out of the chair and taking your first couple of steps after that 3 hour meeting.
• Maintain a calm and steady transition to the next part of my day.
3. Purposeful Use of Everyday Objects
Carry items like a coffee cup, a legal pad, or a laptop. These serve a dual purpose:
• Sure…they’re functional office tools.
• They can also provide light physical support or something to focus on when needed.
• Sure…they’re functional office tools.
• They can also provide light physical support or something to focus on when needed.
4. Practical Language for Symptom Management
When symptoms arise in visible or social ways, use short, general responses:
• Walking unsteadily, “strained my back at the gym”.
• Awkward pause during conversation, “deep in thought” or “too much multi-tasking“.
Allowing for symptom management without drawing unnecessary attention or having to explain in detail.
• Walking unsteadily, “strained my back at the gym”.
• Awkward pause during conversation, “deep in thought” or “too much multi-tasking“.
Allowing for symptom management without drawing unnecessary attention or having to explain in detail.
5. Strategic Pauses
Build in short pauses during the day, such as standing still for a moment or pausing near a window or whiteboard. These allow me to:
• Recover from temporary dizziness or sensory overload.
• Regain focus in a way that appears natural within a professional setting.
• Recover from temporary dizziness or sensory overload.
• Regain focus in a way that appears natural within a professional setting.
6. Micro Naps
Short, strategic rest periods typically 10 to 20 minutes that can help restore energy, improve focus, and ease fatigue.
Why it matters: MS fatigue can often hit hard and fast. Micro naps offer a simple, low effort way to reset and recharge without the grogginess of longer naps.
Pro Tip: Set a timer and find a quiet, out-of-the-way spot…an unused conference room, a parked car, or even a wellness room if your office has one. Even just closing your eyes and resting (without falling fully asleep) can make a difference.
7. Office Layout Recon
Before you commit to a new workspace or office move, quietly map out the layout, note restroom distances, stairways, elevators, kitchen access, and quiet zones. Knowledge = confidence.
8. Preparation Before High-Demand Moments
I like refer to them as “At-Bats” — those key moments when I definitely need to bring my “A” game.
Why it matters: Whether it’s a big meeting, a critical conversation, or a presentation, MS can make it harder to summon focus and energy on demand. That’s why I build in a short pre-meeting pause to reset and get centered.
My approach: I carve out alone time to review key notes, mentally walk through the outcomes I’m aiming for, and find a quiet space to collect myself, sometimes that’s just a minute or two of silence before stepping into the room. It’s part prep, part mindset shift.
Why it matters: Whether it’s a big meeting, a critical conversation, or a presentation, MS can make it harder to summon focus and energy on demand. That’s why I build in a short pre-meeting pause to reset and get centered.
My approach: I carve out alone time to review key notes, mentally walk through the outcomes I’m aiming for, and find a quiet space to collect myself, sometimes that’s just a minute or two of silence before stepping into the room. It’s part prep, part mindset shift.
9. The 20-20-20 Rule (for Cognitive Fatigue)
The is a simple, science-backed trick to protect your eyes and your brain throughout the day. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It resets your focus, reduces eye strain, and gives your brain a quick cognitive breather.
• Reduces eye strain – Shifting your gaze lets the eye muscles reset.
• Combats Cognitive Fatigue – Mini resets throughout the day.
• Improves Posture – encourages you to sit back, breathe, and stretch.
While you’re at it:) Try adding a couple of deep belly breaths during your break to calm the nervous system and reset your pace.
• Reduces eye strain – Shifting your gaze lets the eye muscles reset.
• Combats Cognitive Fatigue – Mini resets throughout the day.
• Improves Posture – encourages you to sit back, breathe, and stretch.
While you’re at it:) Try adding a couple of deep belly breaths during your break to calm the nervous system and reset your pace.
10. The “Just-in-Case” Drawer (Best practice)
One of my key MS tools in the workplace is stashing a discreet emergency kit in your desk drawer, locker, or work bag. Think of it as your personal backup system for anything MS might throw your way mid-workday…it’s about comfort, confidence, and control.
What to include:
• Extra undergarments & a change of clothes – Especially important for those unpredictable days.
• Cooling wipes or cooling towel – For quick relief from heat sensitivity.
• Pain reliever or prescription meds – Just-in-case doses for migraines, nerve pain, or flare symptoms.
• Electrolyte packets or snacks – To stabilize energy levels or combat sudden fatigue.
• Tissues or flushable wipes – For restroom challenges or spills.
• Eye drops or artificial tears – For dryness caused by fatigue or meds.
• Discreet disposal bags – For accidents or quick cleanup.
• Small first-aid kit – Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, etc.
• A foldable bag or tote – To carry items if you suddenly need to leave early.
What to include:
• Extra undergarments & a change of clothes – Especially important for those unpredictable days.
• Cooling wipes or cooling towel – For quick relief from heat sensitivity.
• Pain reliever or prescription meds – Just-in-case doses for migraines, nerve pain, or flare symptoms.
• Electrolyte packets or snacks – To stabilize energy levels or combat sudden fatigue.
• Tissues or flushable wipes – For restroom challenges or spills.
• Eye drops or artificial tears – For dryness caused by fatigue or meds.
• Discreet disposal bags – For accidents or quick cleanup.
• Small first-aid kit – Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, etc.
• A foldable bag or tote – To carry items if you suddenly need to leave early.
Closing Thoughts: Your MS Tools in the Workplace
These aren’t just tricks, they’re real life techniques and strategies that make work more manageable with MS. Whether it’s wall surfing with intention, having a well-stocked just-in-case drawer, or pacing your day with smart breaks, your MS Office Toolkit is about working with your body, not against it.
Got a go-to strategy that’s helped you at work? Drop it in the Comments below or Contact —I’d love to add it to the MS toolkit.
Be balanced, stay strong
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