Adapting to Existential Anxiety

“If there is meaning in life at all, there must be meaning in suffering,” (Viktor Frankl. 1946. Man’s Search for Meaning). Of the three components of existential anxiety number 2: anxiety related to loss of meaning in life, is the one that I see most when I communicate with people who struggle with chronic disease. It is difficult, but vital, to find meaning in life when you are confined to a wheelchair and long-term care home. I recently read an article in a newsletter for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), which stated erroneously (in my opinion), that people with MS adapted to Covid 19 restrictions and quarantines well, because they understand the need to quarantine. As a wheelchair rider with MS myself, I know that the reason people with MS adapted well to restrictive quarantine is because it was not a change in our lifestyle. We are quite used to having our movements and our lifestyle restricted, due to our inability to access transit, go to the mall, or even go for coffee with friends because there is just not enough wheelchair/scooter accessibility in our towns and cities. So, as Viktor Frankl pointed out, we have to find meaning in our life through other means.